Randolph Health Restricts Visitation Amid Respiratory Virus Surge

ASHEBORO — Randolph Health has announced temporary visitation restrictions for children aged 12 and younger to help curb the spread of respiratory viruses, including RSV and flu.

The restrictions, which took effect Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, were implemented “out of concern for the health and well-being of the community and our patients, and due to the widespread prevalence of respiratory viruses such as RSV and flu among young children,” the hospital said in a statement.

The restrictions do not apply to children seeking medical attention at Randolph Health. Exceptions may also be made for special circumstances, such as visits to terminally ill family members. The health system says families facing such situations should speak with the patient’s care team.

Community members experiencing respiratory symptoms, vomiting, or diarrhea and seeking care at Randolph Health are asked to wear a mask.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that infects the nose, throat, and lungs. Its symptoms can mimic those of the common cold or other respiratory illnesses, including the flu and COVID-19. RSV typically circulates during the fall and winter months, with peak activity in December and January.

While RSV does not usually cause severe illness in healthy adults and children, it can lead to serious complications in older adults, infants younger than six months, and those with weakened immune systems. Severe cases of RSV can result in bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lungs) or pneumonia (an infection of the lungs). It is the leading cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children under one year of age.

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS), 14.2% of emergency room visits statewide involved respiratory virus symptoms during the most recent reporting week, a slight decrease from 14.8% the previous week. However, hospital admissions for respiratory virus diagnoses or symptoms rose to 2,179, up from 1,868 the week before.

Officials at Randolph Health urge the public to continue practicing preventative measures to limit the spread of respiratory illnesses. These include staying home when sick, frequent handwashing, and covering coughs and sneezes.

To wash hands effectively, experts recommend using clean water, lathering hands with soap, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds, and rinsing thoroughly. When soap and water are unavailable, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is advised.

Randolph Health says their Infection Prevention team is closely monitoring the situation and will lift the restrictions when it is deemed safe.