Duke Health implements new visitor restrictions amid flu surge

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Duke Health has now put in place restrictions on hospital visitors amid a surge in flu cases.

Duke's new restrictions will limit each patient to two visitors at a time and will bar visitors younger than 12 unless they have prior approval.

It comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said cases have spiked across the country, including a recent surge in the last several weeks. In the past two weeks, Duke Health says flu cases have more than doubled at its locations.

"We're seeing positive test rates double over the past two weeks," said Dr. Melissa Campbell, a pediatric infectious disease expert with Duke. "We are at the peak of flu season. We are also seeing other viruses, not just influenza, but also RSV, COVID, and other respiratory viruses as well."

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Per the CDC, more than 7.5 million people nationwide have gotten the flu this season, and more than 3,000 have died. The virus is also affecting children in high numbers, which could lead to more spread as people return from the holidays and students return to the classroom.

"So we are encouraging as much as possible if you are feeling unwell, if you're feeling under the weather, have headaches, cough, congestion, malaise, fevers, try as best you can to stay at home and limit contact with other folks," Campbell said.

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