Cape Fear Valley joins WakeMed in limiting hospital visitors, will require masks in waiting rooms

Cape Fear Valley Hospitals will require masks in all waiting rooms and ban visitors under the age of 12 beginning on Christmas Day.

Cape Fear joins WakeMed hospitals in adding limits to keep the spread of respiratory viruses in check. The hospital said the measures are "due to an increase in respiratory illnesses across our region, including Influenza A" and " taken to help protect patients, visitors, and staff."

Children younger than 12 are banned from visiting patients at either WakeMed or Cape Fear Valley hospitals until further notice.

The WakeMed ban went into effect Dec. 22, the first hospital system to put such limits in place. No one younger than 12 will be allowed in nursing units, patient care areas or waiting rooms at any WakeMed hospital, Healthplex emergency departments and WakeMed Mental Health and Well-Being Hospital – WakeBrook.

Eleven people have died from the flu in North Carolina as of Wednesday, Dec. 17, for the 2025-2026 flu season. One of them was a child.

Flu numbers are higher across the country than at this time a year ago, and health leaders say the flu virus circulating this year tends to cause more severe illness, particularly in children and those over ag 65. 

Health leaders are urging the public to take precautions to prevent the spread of illness, especially in a season of gatherings. Stay home when sick, wash hands often and consider wearing a mask if you have symptoms. 

Doctors recommend testing for the flu at the first sign of symptoms, including fever, chills, cough, sore throat or body aches. Quick treatment can shorten the suffering and reduce the severity of the illness.