WINSTON SALEM – Novant Health is implementing restrictions on who can visits the company’s hospitals due to a recent uptick in the prevalence of respiratory diseases, according to a release from the company.

The restrictions will go into effect on Tuesday, and will ask visitors under the age of 13 to stay away from the hospital unless they are experiencing a medical emergency. 

“Children under age 13 are asked not to visit Novant Health hospitals. Children may be permitted to visit hospitalized patients under special circumstances, such as visiting a family member who is in end-of-life care. In these instances, parents should work with the patient’s care team to make arrangements,” the company said in the release.

The release states that if children are experiencing flu-like symptoms, such as a routine cough, sore throat or fatigue, they should visit a primary-care provider or pediatrician instead of the hospital. It also reminds patients that they should visit the emergency room only in the case of a serious or life-threatening injury or illness.

The CDC, which keeps track of respiratory illness rates in counties throughout the country, notes that signs of both flu and COVID-19 infections rates are rising in Rowan County during the past few weeks. Forty-three people have been hospitalized with COVID-19 in Rowan County in the past week, according to the CDC.

“In all of the communities we serve, we are observing an increase in flu, COVID-19 and RSV cases. We appreciate the community’s help in taking extra care when visiting our facilities this respiratory virus season as we work to protect our patients,” said David Priest, senior vice president and chief safety and quality officer of Novant Health, in the release.