Novant Health implemented new visitation restrictions amid rising flu cases

NEW HANOVER COUNTY (WWAY) — In the Cape Fear, several hospitals have new visitation restrictions to help prevent the spread of the flu. 

Novant Health has added visitation restrictions now that the flu has ramped up nationwide. 

The number of cases is climbing, and this virus can be very harmful, and at times fatal. 

Doctors say that every year is different, but warn that another peak could hit in January, and that it is still important to receive the flu vaccine. 

David Priest, Infectious Diseases Physician and Chief Safety and Quality officer at Novant Health, says these restrictions are annual, but that accommodations can be made. 

“It’s not so much that this year is worse than others, we do this most years. We do it because, interestingly, children can often carry influenza virus and they either don’t have symptoms at all or their symptoms are really mild, and so we understand the desire that you might want to bring a child into a hospital to visit a loved one, but the hospital is full of people who are really vulnerable to flu. Our teams will work with families if there’s a reason a child needs to come in the hospital. In general, just general visitations not great,” said Priest. 

You can get a flu shot at local pharmacies, health departments, and your doctor’s office.