Novant, Atrium and other regional hospitals restrict visitors as coronavirus precaution
Charlotte’s two largest hospital systems announced visitor restrictions Wednesday to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, including coronavirus disease 2019 and the flu.
Effectively immediately, Atrium Health and Novant Health are allowing only immediate family members who are 13 and older to visit during regular visiting hours, according to a news release. The restriction applies regardless of whether a visitor is healthy, the hospitals say.
Younger visitors or non-immediate family may be allowed during visiting hours only if “deemed absolutely necessary by the patient’s healthcare team,” according to Atrium Health’s announcement.
Also, any visitors, including family members, who show flu-like symptoms will not be allowed in patient areas.
“Nursing staff and the attending physician will work with families who have special circumstances, such as a critically ill or injured family member, on a case-by-case basis,” Atrium officials said.
Other NC hospital visitor restrictions
Atrium Health says “the decision to expand these visitor restrictions is a collaborative effort among Atrium Health and six other regional health systems including Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge, CaroMont Health, Cone Health, Novant Health, Randolph Health and Wake Forest Baptist Health.”
“This is a rapidly evolving situation and Atrium Health will take additional steps to help control the spread of COVID-19 as necessary,” the statement said Wednesday. “Atrium Health recognizes that interacting with friends and family can be helpful to the healing process and strongly encourage everyone to utilize other forms of support for their loved ones, such as phone calls, video chats on cell phones or other mobile devices.”
Hospital coronavirus tests
Also Wednesday, hospital officials said people with “flu or cold-like symptoms” should stay home from work or school until they have no fever present for at least 48 hours without the use of medicines that lower fevers (like Tylenol, Advil/Ibuprofen).
“For those who are concerned they many have contracted COVID-19, the CDC and Health Department are actively working to increase access to testing. Testing is currently being focused on patients who have symptoms of the flu and who came in contact with a confirmed coronavirus case,” according to Atrium’s news statement.
For people with possible symptoms, “If your breathing gets worse, or you still have a fever after five days, please contact Atrium Health before visiting a doctor’s office, urgent care or emergency department,” officials said Wednesday.
Atrium also recommended prospective patients use “virtual” doctor visits.
This story was originally published March 11, 2020 at 1:09 PM.