Starting today, Feb. 24, children under 13 won't be allowed to visit patients in more than 40 area hospitals.
The spike in flu cases has caused the restrictions to be put in place for the first time in two years. Last year's flu season was mild, but this year it's hitting later than usual due to the warm weather.
WSOC-TV reports that flu cases rose from 228 people the week of Feb. 4 to 329 the week of Feb. 11 and 359 the week of Feb. 18.
Children under 13 are often contagious before they know they're sick, so hospitals are limiting the amount of visitation in order to keep illness from spreading.
Adults and teens are urged to stay home if carrying any symptoms, as well.
Hospitals with the restrictions include:
Carolinas Healthcare System hospitals impacted:
- Carolinas Medical Center
- Levine Children’s Hospital
- Carolinas Medical Center-Mercy
- Carolinas HealthCare System NorthEast
- Carolinas HealthCare System Pineville
- Carolinas HealthCare System Union
- Carolinas HealthCare System University
- Carolinas HealthCare System Lincoln
- Carolinas HealthCare System Cleveland
- Carolinas HealthCare System Kings Mountain
- Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge
- Carolinas HealthCare System Stanly
- Carolinas HealthCare System Anson
- Carolinas HealthCare System Behavioral Health-Charlotte
- Carolinas HealthCare System Behavioral Health-Davidson
- Carolinas Rehabilitation-Charlotte
- Carolinas Rehabilitation-NorthEast
- Carolinas Rehabilitation-Mt. Holly
- Pineville Inpatient Rehabilitation
Novant Health hospitals impacted:
- 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 Presbyterian Medical Center
- Novant Health Rowan Medical Center
- Novant Health Thomasville Medical Center
- Novant Health UVA Health System Prince William Medical Center
- Novant Health UVA Health System Haymarket Medical Center
- Novant Health UVA Health System Culpeper Medical Center
Wake Forest Baptist inpatient locations impacted:
- Lexington
- Davie County
- Winston-Salem
(Photo: Getty Images)