Influenza increases statewide: Mission Hospital restricts visitors

Influenza increases statewide: Mission Hospital restricts visitors

ASHEVILLE – Mission Health is enacting temporary visitor restrictions due to an increase in influenza-like illness across the state and locally.

The last influenza map released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control on Jan. 11 shows North Carolina had “high” flu activity. There have been 36 influenza-associated deaths in North Carolina since the beginning of the year, and 50 since October, according to data from N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

“There has been an increase in reported influenza-like illnesses throughout North Carolina,” a news release from Mission Health said Jan. 23. “According to the North Carolina Public Health Division, the influenza-like illness activity in the state has reached more than six percent, and local transmission has increased.”

More data from NC DHHS shows that influenza-like illnesses have increased by over 4% within the WNC region since Dec. 17.

Influenza increases statewide: Mission Hospital restricts visitors

To help reduce the spread of respiratory illness, Mission Health hospitals and affiliates in Western North Carolina will now only allow two visitors per patient in each facility and children under 13 are asked not to visit, according to a Jan. 23 news release. The restriction will be in place until there is a decrease in reported flu-like activity.

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