CHARLOTTE, NC – Starting Tuesday, children under age 12 are asked not to visit Atrium Health facilities and children under age 13 are asked not to visit Novant Health hospitals in North Carolina. The hospital systems are taking extra precautions to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses. Atrium Health is implementing temporary visitor restrictions in acute care hospitals, emergency departments, rehabilitation units and facilities, behavioral health, inpatient hospice, infusion centers and certain cancer areas including bone marrow transplant clinics, effective Tuesday, Jan. 14. These restrictions apply to children 12 and under. Visitors at Atrium facilities will be asked to wear masks when in areas where direct patient care is provided and in emergency department waiting areas. At Novant, children under age 13 are asked not to visit Novant Health hospitals in North Carolina. 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. Masks remain optional for visitors. “Across the areas we serve, we are seeing an increase in flu, COVID-19 and RSV cases,” said Dr. David Priest, senior vice president, and chief safety and quality officer, Novant Health. “Each one of us has a role to play in reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses by staying home when sick, getting vaccinated and seeking the appropriate level of care when necessary. These visitor restrictions are one more way we can keep our most vulnerable patients safe while they are being treated in our hospitals. We appreciate the community’s help in exercising extra care during this time.” Health officials say if you are sick, stay home.