North Raleigh Today

UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill and Hillsborough, along with UNC Health Rex in Raleigh and Holly Springs, have decided to lift temporary visitor restrictions. These restrictions had been put in place to prevent the spread of flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses. Hospital leadership and infectious disease experts had been closely monitoring infection rates, adjusting precautions accordingly.

Temporary visitor restrictions had been originally set in early January. The goal was to protect patients, healthcare workers, and visitors. As per the new guidelines, "the temporary age-based visitor restrictions for visitors aged 11 and younger" have been lifted at UNC Hospitals, effective 7 a.m. on March 27. Rex lifted its restrictions last week.

Visitors who are sick still cannot visit inpatients. For more details, visitors are encouraged to visit the hospitals' websites or consult a patient's care team.

At UNC Hospitals, visitors will be allowed in most inpatient areas from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. A single visitor will be allowed from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., although visits during this time require nursing approval and an identification badge. Visitors are asked to self-screen for illness and should not come if ill.

UNC Hospitals may also limit visits if visitor behavior affects patient care and safety or if there is disruptive conduct.