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Flu deaths decline; visitor restrictions lifted at Charlotte-area hospitals

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More than two months after restricting visitors’ access due to the growing number of flu cases in the Carolinas, local hospitals announced Thursday that those restrictions would soon be lifted.

[RELATED: Flu kills 4 more in NC; Charlotte-area hospitals restricting access]

Atrium Health officials said that flu restrictions for visitors 12 years old and younger would be lifted Friday at 7 a.m. at all Charlotte-area hospitals.

The decision comes as the number of flu deaths declined in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Officials announced Thursday that seven people died in North Carolina last week, bringing the total to 305 this season. South Carolina health officials revealed on Wednesday that 20 more people died, bringing the total to 221 flu-related deaths this season.

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The flu restrictions were put in place Jan. 11.

Hospital officials said a significant drop in the number of patients being seen with flu-like symptoms prompted the change.

[CLICK HERE FOR MORE TIPS ON HOW TO RECOGNIZE FLU SYMPTOMS AND HOW TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE ILLNESS]

Atrium Health is joining Novant Health, Cone Health and Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in lifting the restrictions at the same time to prevent confusion and avoid a patchwork of varying restrictions.

Hospitals affected by the change are:

  • 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
  • Carolinas Rehabilitation-Pineville

Last week, about 3 percent of Atrium Health patients were seen for flu-like illnesses, compared to a high of 12 percent of patients who were seen for flu-like illnesses during the week of Feb. 10.

[RELATED: Influenza surveillance map: Where is the flu in my state?]

Despite the decline, Atrium Health still wants anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms to not visit patients in the hospital.

A doctor at Novant Health told Channel 9 that flu-like cases dropped to 4 percent compared to 5 percent the week before.

“We appreciate the continued support and flexibility of our patients, their families and the community,” said Dr. David Priest, medical director for infection prevention at Novant Health. “The visitor restrictions were necessary to protect our most vulnerable hospitalized patients, but now as we see the number of influenza cases continue to decline we are happy to welcome back visitors of all ages into our facilities.”

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