Wake Forest Baptist Lowers Visitation Age

Wake Forest Baptist Health has updated its visitation policy, in conjunction with Atrium Health.

These changes apply to all Wake Forest Baptist inpatient locations, with the exception of patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 or who are considered persons under investigation for COVID-19.

Healthy individuals age 12 and older are now permitted to visit adult and pediatric patients who are hospitalized.

All visitors undergo screenings for symptoms of respiratory illness and must continue to properly wear a mask that covers the nose, mouth and chin while in any Wake Forest Baptist facility.

“With the FDA’s authorization allowing adolescents 12 years of age and older to receive the Pfizer vaccine, we encourage everyone age 12 and older to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The availability of vaccine and the lower rates of infection in our area allowed us to reassess our visitation guidelines and safely lower the age for visitors. However, with the Delta variant and other unknowns, the visitor policy will remain a moving target until vaccination rates and levels of immunity throughout our communities are high enough to provide reliably low infection risk to our patients,” said Kevin High, MD, president of the Wake Forest Baptist Health system. “We know how important it is for patients to have the support of family members, friends and loved ones and these changes will help us continue to provide the best care and improve outcomes for all of our patients.” 

Patients are still limited to two healthy visitors at a time and all other visitor guidelines remain in effect. They can be found at www.wakehealth.edu/Coronavirus/Visitor-Restrictions. 

Families with special situations should contact their care team.

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