Due to a sharp increase in influenza-like illnesses being reported by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the recent closings of several area schools due to influenza, Park Ridge Health has implemented visitor restrictions.

In order to protect patients, visitors, providers and staff, the following restrictions are in place at Park Ridge Health:

• No hospital visitors under the age of 18 permitted.

• Visitors are limited to immediate family and clergy only.

• The number of visitors is limited to one or two at a time, unless special circumstances are presented.

• No hospital visitors with cough or other flu symptoms permitted.

“To ensure the health and safety of our patients and staff we are taking this step to reduce the risk of exposure to the influenza by limiting visitors,” said Jimm Bunch, Park Ridge Health president and CEO.

The visitor restrictions will remain in place until the elevated risk for exposure to the flu returns to a normal level. Thank you for your cooperation in this effort to prevent the spread of the flu.

For up-to-date information on the flu, please visit flu.nc.gov.

– article submitted by Victoria Dunkle