GREENSBORO, N.C (WGHP) — Flu, RSV, COVID and other respiratory viruses are impacting the Piedmont Triad.
On Monday, hospitals across the region announced they would start visitor restrictions on Tuesday in many locations.
Experts decided now was the time because they have been seeing an increase in illness over the last three to four weeks. The peak season for flu could hit soon, so it’s best to protect all their staff and patients with a few changes.
“If we all do it together people understand it’s because we are all in it together,” said Dr. Christopher Ohl with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.
The hospital systems work together, so there is no confusion about who has restrictions and who doesn’t.
“We all kind of keep track of what viruses are circulating in our different areas and North Carolina Public Health does, too. We all collaborate and share that information,” Dr. Ohl said.
Starting on Tuesday, kids 12 and under should not visit the hospitals since they often can carry these viruses.
“It can be contagious … right before your symptoms start,” said Dr. Cynthia Snider with Cone Health.
Anyone else planning to visit Cone Health, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist or Novant is strongly encouraged to mask up. If you have any kind of symptoms, you’re urged to stay away.
“We know people want to go see their friends and family. But if you are ill, the best thing is to stay at home,” Dr. Snider said.
The big three right now are COVID in third, RSV in second and the flu in the top spot.
“Influenza is the talk of the town … It is keeping our emergency rooms busy. It is keeping our hospitals busy,” Dr. Ohl said.
Dr. Ohl added that flu cases are higher than they have seen in the past five years, but COVID numbers are down.
“I don’t really anticipate any big surprises from COVID this year, but … COVID can throw us a left turn, so we kind of have to keep an eye on it,” Dr. Ohl said.
That means we have to remind you of proper hand hygiene and cough etiquette, which even the kids of an infectious disease specialist forget sometimes.
“One of my kids is recovering from a respiratory virus, and she coughed in my face, and I am like, ‘What is going on? Did you forget?’” Dr. Snider said.
The experts hope a few reminders and a few changes in their hospitals will help the community get through this dreaded respiratory virus season.
“We all want to try to protect our healthcare workers and our other patients,” Dr. Ohl said.
The restrictions are expected to last about one month and can vary depending on location, so make sure you read any signs and keep up to date for possible changes depending on the current trends.
