On Monday, December 30 2019, New Hanover Regional Medical Center began taking further steps to limit the spread of flu within hospital facilities and the community.
While these limitations are in place, anyone with flu-like symptoms should not visit patients at any NHRMC hospital facility. In addition to restricting those with flu symptoms from visiting patients, NHRMC is asking community members to refrain from taking children 12 and under to any NHRMC hospital facility unless the child is being treated.
“The risk of spreading flu among children is high,” said Paul Kamitsuka, MD, Chief Epidemiologist at NHRMC. “Often children can be contagious before flu symptoms appear. By restricting children during this heightened time, we can help protect them and prevent the spread of flu among vulnerable patients.”
Children who come to a NHRMC hospital will be asked to wear a mask. Masks are also given to those with flu-like symptoms who come seeking care.
“We know visits are important to families, but safety must be the top concern, said Dr. Kamitsuka. “We appreciate the community’s support in protecting our patients and children.”
The care teams at NHRMC suggest that if you have flu symptoms and you want to visit a patient, call, use FaceTime or Skype, or send a note or card instead.
You can learn more about the spread of flu in North Carolina by visiting flu.nc.gov.