As respiratory illnesses rise, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist is urging everyone to take steps to protect themselves and those around them. Simple actions, like staying up to date on vaccinations, practicing good hygiene and staying home when unwell, can help keep individuals, families and communities safer this sick season.
Health experts strongly recommend the following to limit the spread of respiratory illnesses:
- Stay home when sick: Protect others by staying home if you have symptoms of respiratory illness, such as a cough, fever or fatigue.
- Get vaccinated: Vaccines remain the most effective tool for preventing severe illness. Make sure you are up to date on vaccinations, including the flu shot, the new RSV vaccine and the updated COVID vaccine.
- Practice good respiratory hygiene: Wash hands frequently, cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, and avoid close contact with others when feeling sick.
For those needing non-emergency care, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist offers several options, including:
- Primary Care: Contact your primary care provider if you have flu-like symptoms.
- Urgent Care and Virtual Visits: Consider these options for mild to moderate symptoms to avoid long wait times in emergency departments.
Members of the community can easily find care options by visiting WakeHealth.edu/get-care.
“If we all follow these steps, we can help slow the spread of viruses and help keep our communities healthy this winter,” said Dr. Christopher Ohl, infectious diseases expert at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and professor of infectious diseases at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. “Nobody enjoys being sick and these are easy measures we can take to help protect ourselves and our loved ones, particularly the most vulnerable among us.”
Due to a sustained increase in respiratory viruses in our communities, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist is implementing temporary visitor restrictions in acute care hospitals, emergency departments, rehabilitation units and facilities, behavioral health, inpatient hospice, infusion centers and certain cancer areas including bone marrow transplant clinics, effective Tuesday, Jan. 14. These restrictions include:
- Visitor age limit: Children 12 and under should not visit the locations listed above.
- Masking policy: Visitors will be asked to wear masks when in areas where direct patient care is provided and in emergency department waiting areas.
While Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist’s skilled nursing facilities will not have any age-related visitation restrictions, visitors at these sites will be asked to wear masks when in areas where direct patient care is provided and in waiting areas.
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist thanks all community members and visitors for their cooperation and for helping make health care environments safer for all.
It is important to note that some hospitals and care locations may have additional restrictions on visitors in certain areas and restrictions are subject to change without notice. Please read and follow signage posted on-site and follow any directions provided by staff members at the facility.
Media contact: Jenna Kurzyna, jkurzyna@wakehealth.edu