UNC Health's Triangle-area hospitals started temporary visitor restrictions on Monday.

The restrictions have been put in place in recent years during the cold weather months when respiratory illnesses increase. 

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“We monitor the number of cases of flu we see, but also RSV, covid and all the other viral respiratory diseases like adenovirus and enteroviruses,” UNC Health Dr. David Weber said.

The restrictions:

  • Visitors 11 years old and younger will be prohibited from all hospital inpatient areas and waiting areas.
    • Visitors older than 11 with respiratory symptoms will be prohibited from inpatient areas and waiting areas.
      • All employees at designated inpatient locations will be required to wear a mask while providing care. Masks are not required, but strongly encouraged, for patients and visitors.

        Affected facilities include UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill and Hillsborough, UNC Health Rex in Raleigh and Holly Springs, UNC Health Chatham in Siler City, and UNC Health Johnston in Clayton and Smithfield. 

        Other hospitals are have added temporary restrictions as well. 

        Duke Health's visitor restrictions go into effect on Tuesday, Jan. 6.

        WakeMed and Cape Fear Valley Health systems have already started restricting visitors.

        “Children are more infectious; they excrete higher amounts of virus. They do not have quite a fully adult immune system there,” Weber said.

        Weber said while adults know when they're feeling ill, it's harder to tell when a toddler is sick who is unable to talk.

        The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual flu shots for people 6 months and older. State data shows only 20% of people statewide got their flu shot this season.

        “I use the seatbelt analogy, they clearly save lives,” Weber said of flu shots. “The fact that the vaccine is not perfect doesn't mean we shouldn't take the vaccine because it still provides good protection in most cases.

        “Particularly, it's better preventing serious disease than infection.”

        The move comes as the state saw a significant jump in emergency room admissions from flu-like illnesses last week. Approximately 2,000 people had flu-like symptoms, according to data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. A total of 39 people have died from the flu so far this winter in North Carolina.