As a consequence of a rise in respiratory viruses in Charlotte and nationwide, Atrium Well being is implementing non permanent customer restrictions beginning Jan. 13.
Atrium introduced that starting at the moment, guests will probably be requested to put on masks in emergency division ready areas and in areas the place direct affected person care is offered.
The restrictions will apply in acute care hospitals, emergency departments, rehabilitation items and services, behavioral well being, inpatient hospice, infusion facilities and sure most cancers areas, together with bone marrow transplant clinics.
Youngsters age 12 and below shouldn’t go to any of the restricted services, Atrium mentioned within the announcement. Atrium’s nursing services is not going to have age restrictions, however guests will probably be requested to put on masks whereas in ready areas and the place direct affected person care is offered.
“By taking these steps, everybody locally can contribute to slowing the unfold of respiratory diseases this season,” Katie Passaretti, chief an infection prevention officer for Advocate Well being, mentioned. (Atrium is a unit of Advocate Well being.)
North Carolina well being officers reported that final week, about 14.2% of all sufferers who went to emergency rooms had signs of a respiratory virus. That was a slight lower from the week earlier than, though situations of respiratory viruses have typically been climbing larger since October, in response to a state dashboard.
“These preventive measures are easy however highly effective in serving to us defend ourselves and people most susceptible,” Passaretti mentioned.
Atrium didn’t point out how lengthy the restrictions would final.
