UNC Health’s Triangle-area hospitals will implement temporary visitor restrictions on Monday, Jan. 5.

The resetrictions include measures as:

Visitors 11 years old and younger will be prohibited from all hospital inpatient areas and waiting areas.

Visitors older than 11 with respiratory symptoms will be prohibited from inpatient areas and waiting areas.All employees at designated inpatient locations will be required to wear a mask while providing care. Masks are not required, but strongly encouraged, for patients and visitors.

Affected facilities include UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill and Hillsborough, UNC Health Rex in Raleigh and Holly Springs, UNC Health Chatham in Siler City, and UNC Health Johnston in Clayton and Smithfield. 

The restrictions have been put in place in recent years during the cold weather months when respiratory illnesses increase. 

Duke Health’s visitor restrictions go into effect on Jan. 6.

WakeMed and Cape Fear Valley Health systems have already started restricting visitors.

The move comes as the state saw a significant jump in emergency room admissions from flu-like illnesses last week. Approximately 2,000 people had flu-like symptoms, according to data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. A total of 39 people have died from the flu so far this winter in North Carolina.