GREENSBORO, N.C. — Multiple Triad health care systems and their hospitals are asking those who are not immediate family members to avoid visiting patients unless absolutely necessary – even if visitors are healthy and regardless of their age.
Cone Health, Wake Forest Baptist Health, and Novant Health say they are taking additional measures to help control the spread of respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19.
Cone Health says visitor restrictions are in place at these hospitals:
- Atrium Health
- Blue Ridge Health
- CaroMont Health
- Novant Health
- Randolph Health
- Wake Forest Baptist Health
Wake Forest Baptist Health says visitor restrictions are in place at these hospitals:
- Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
- Wake Forest Baptist Health – Davie Medical Center
- Wake Forest Baptist Health – High Point Medical Center
- Wake Forest Baptist Health – Lexington Medical Center
- Wake Forest Baptist Health – Wilkes Medical Center
Novant Health says visitor restrictions are in effect at these hospitals:
- Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center
- Novant Health Charlotte Orthopedic Hospital
- Novant Health Clemmons Medical Center
- Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center
- Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital
- Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center
- Novant Health Kernersville Medical Center
- Novant Health Matthews Medical Center
- Novant Health Medical Park Hospital
- Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center
- Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center
- Novant Health Rowan Medical Center
- Novant Health Thomasville Medical Center
Nursing staff and the infection prevention team will work with extended families who have special circumstances, such as a critically ill or injured family member, on a case-by-case basis, officials said.
There are already temporary visitor restrictions for children 12 and under. These restrictions will remain in effect.
All health care systems say visitor restrictions should not stop someone from seeking medical care.
If necessary, the health care systems have said they are prepared to take additional steps to help control the spread of the coronavirus.
"We encourage visitors to use phone calls or video chats on personal phones or mobile devices to communicate with loved ones," a Cone Health official said.
More information about COVID-19 is available on Cone Health's website.