Limited visitation at Haywood Regional due to spike in flu

HAYWOOD COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Another mountain hospital is implementing limited visitations due to a spike in flu cases.

Haywood Regional Medical Center is reporting 21 new cases just over this past weekend.

The restrictions are meant to ensure the well-being of patients. So, right now, visitation is limited to those 12 or older who do not have flu symptoms.

To ensure that well being of patients, the hospital is asking you to limit the number of visitors to 3 per patient.

Pregnant women or those with chronic lung disease are encouraged to not visit the hospital during flu restrictions.

“We also ask that any patients that do have symptoms of flu, fever, sore throat, cough...any respiratory illness not visit. But if they absolutely have to visit, we do ask that they're washing their hands going in and out of patients' rooms and that they're wearing a mask,” says Emergency Room Director Kevin Summar.

Summar says a flu vaccine is your best chance to avoid the flu.

And to help prevent the spread, wash your hands, avoid touching eyes, nose, mouth...avoid sharing food and utensils, disinfect your home, and stay home from school or work if you're sick. Also cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

The hospital says it's seeing many under 18 with the flu and urges vaccination for them especially.