Health Team

Some hospitals limit visits as flu spreads

Administrators at UNC Hospitals, Rex Hospital and the Fayetteville VA Medical Center are limiting patient visits by children as a flu outbreak builds across the state.

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RALEIGH, N.C. — Administrators at UNC Hospitals, Rex Hospital and the Fayetteville VA Medical Center are limiting patient visits by children as a flu outbreak builds across the state.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says North Carolina is one of the most active states for the flu in the nation. Fourteen states have reported widespread cases of the flu, meaning flu cases have been confirmed in more than half of a state.

UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill is prohibiting visitors under 12 in any patient rooms and has banned all visitors who have flu-like symptoms such as coughing, sneezing or runny nose.

A similar ban is in place at Rex in Raleigh, where those with cold symptoms are being asked to stay home, and children under 12 are restricted from parts of the emergency department.

The Fayetteville VA is asking anyone under the age of 18 to avoid visits to the hospital or community outpatient clinics. VA patients with flu-like symptoms are being asked to wear masks to prevent the spread of the virus.

 

 

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