CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Atrium Health has announced the restriction of hospital access for visitors younger than 12 years old at all its Charlotte region in-patient hospitals will be lifted, effective Friday morning.
[ALSO READ: Flu-like symptoms spreading quickly at CMS elementary school]
Atrium Health joins Novant Health, Cone Health, Wake Forest Baptist Health and Randolph Health in lifting the restrictions at the same date and time – Friday at 7 a.m. -- to prevent confusion.
A significant drop in the number of patients being seen with flu-like symptoms prompted the change.
Despite the decline, Atrium Health is asking anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms to help control the spread of the illness by not visiting patients in the hospital.
Symptoms include: fever, headaches/body aches/pain, cough or sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, chills, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.
Hospitals affected by the tighter visitation policy:
- Atrium Health's Carolinas Medical Center
- Atrium Health's Levine Children's Hospital
- Atrium Health's Levine Cancer Institute
- Carolinas Medical Center-Mercy
- Carolinas HealthCare System NorthEast
- Atrium Health Pineville
- Atrium Health Union
- Atrium Health University City
- Atrium Health Lincoln
- Atrium Health Cleveland
- Atrium Health Kings Mountain
- Atrium Health Anson
- Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge
- Carolinas HealthCare System Stanly
- Carolinas HealthCare System Behavioral Health-Charlotte
- Carolinas HealthCare System Behavioral Health-Davidson
- Carolinas Rehabilitation-Charlotte
- Carolinas Rehabilitation-NorthEast
- Carolinas Rehabilitation-Mt. Holly
- Atrium Health Pineville Rehabilitation Hospital
[READ MORE: 4 new flu deaths reported by North Carolina health officials]
[ALSO READ: Massive flu outbreak in some schools forces closures]
[Doctor: Peak flu season is upon us; those with symptoms should stay home]
Flu-related resources:
- CDC information on the flu
- North Carolina flu information
- South Carolina flu information
- 11 things parents need to know about the flu, the vaccine, how long kids need to stay out of school
- 5 myths about colds and the flu that we've heard our entire lives
Most people with the flu have mild illness and do not need medical care. If you have flu symptoms, in most cases you should stay home and avoid contact with other people. Flu sufferers should rest, drink fluids and take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce minor pain or fever.
Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:
- Arrest made more than 5 years after sleeping pregnant teen shot, killed
- South Carolina fifth-grader dies days after school fight; classmate suspended
- Charlotte Diocese chancellor steps down after 'credible' allegation of sexual misconduct
- Man shot, killed by officer had confrontation with employees, source says
- Restaurant president apologizes to men kicked out of Charlotte eatery
Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
