Duke restricts patient visits to stop spread of flu

Effective Dec. 30, patients may have no more than two adult visitors at a time, and visitors under 18 are not allowed without prior approval from health care providers. Visitors are also encouraged to wash their hands frequently. Anyone with flu-like symptoms should stay home.

The restrictions, which are similar to ones put in place this time last year, affect Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, the Duke Ambulatory Surgical Center and the James E. Davis Ambulatory Surgical Center.

There have been eight flu-related deaths in North Carolina this year, according to state officials. Seven of those patients had not received the flu vaccine.