WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Novant Health is implementing visitor restrictions and recommending extra precautions to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses in our communities. Beginning Tuesday, Dec. 30, at 7 a.m., Novant Health will temporarily limit visits by children under age 13 at its hospitals in North Carolina to help protect patients and their families.
“We’re seeing a noticeable rise in respiratory viruses including flu cases across the communities we serve,” said Dr. David Priest, senior vice president and chief safety and quality officer at Novant Health. “But we can all work together to bring those numbers down. Each of us plays a part in reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses, whether that’s staying home when we’re sick, staying current on recommended vaccines, or seeking the appropriate level of care when necessary. These temporary visitor restrictions are another way to help safeguard our most vulnerable patients while they’re being treated in our hospitals. We appreciate our communities for taking extra care and working with us to help slow the spread.”
Visitor guidance:
- Stay home if under age 13, unless seeking care or other special circumstances. Children under age 13 are asked not to visit Novant Health hospitals in North Carolina. Children who are not experiencing any symptoms of illness may be permitted to visit hospitalized patients under special circumstances, such as visiting a new sibling in postpartum labor and delivery areas, or a family member who is in end-of-life care. Parents/guardians should work with the patient’s care team to make arrangements if necessary.
- Masks are optional for visitors. Read 4 good reasons you might still want to wear a mask.
- Stay home if you’re sick. People 13 years and older who are experiencing flu-like symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, fever or cough should not visit patients being treated at Novant Health hospitals. People who are experiencing symptoms and seeking treatment at hospitals are not subject to the restriction but will be asked to wear a mask.
Community considerations: Novant Health recommends that all community members continue to take measures that are known to limit the spread of respiratory viruses.
- Stay home if you’re sick. Health officials strongly encourage people to stay home when sick, maintain good respiratory etiquette such as handwashing and covering the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing.
- Get vaccinated. Most importantly, get vaccinated against flu, RSV (for eligible children and senior citizens) and COVID-19.
Seek the appropriate level of care when needed:
- Same-day or next-day sick visits. Novant Health primary care and pediatric clinics offer sick visits within 24 hours. When you need medical attention for more routine cough, fever, fatigue and other flu-like symptoms, seek care from a primary care clinician or pediatrician. For more information, visit NovantHealth.org/PrimaryNow.
- Urgent care and virtual care options. Novant Health offers many options for urgent and walk-in care. Novant Health-GoHealth Urgent Care clinics are available to patients older than 6 months, and appointments may be scheduled online. The Novant Health on-demand care team serves both adult and pediatric patients 24/7 with video visits.
For more information, visit NovantHealth.org/VisitorRestrictions.
About Novant Health
Novant Health is an integrated network of nearly 900 locations, including 19 hospitals, more than 750 physician clinics and urgent care centers, outpatient facilities, and imaging and pharmacy services. This network supports a seamless and personalized healthcare experience for communities in North Carolina and South Carolina. Novant Health is nationally recognized for our unwavering commitment to safety and the highest quality care, and we serve as a catalyst for healthcare transformation through clinical trials, leading-edge research, innovative care delivery models and robust virtual care networks. The expertise and empathy of our more than 41,000 team members along with more than 8,600 independent and employed clinicians are at the heart of Our Cause as industry leaders caring for communities across the Carolinas. In 2024, Novant Health provided more than $1.6 billion in community benefit, including financial assistance and services.
For more information, visit NovantHealth.org. Follow Novant Health on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.
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