Duke Health will limit hospital visitors starting Jan. 6, 2026 out of concern due to the rise of respiratory illnesses.
The Duke University Health System stated in a press release that hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers will temporarily limit patient visitations, effective Tuesday, Jan. 6. The release did not say when these limitations will be lifted, but it did say that the restrictions will be reviewed if and when respiratory illness cases decline.
Daytime visitors of hospital and ambulatory surgery patients will be limited to no more than two people aged 12 and older. Overnight visitors must be at least 18 unless they are the parent or caregiver of a pediatric patient.
The restrictions are part of a multi-step approach to protect patients and prevent the spread of influenza, RSV and COVID-19 across the health system.
The temporary initiatives effective on Jan. 6 include:
Patients may receives no more than two visitors at one time. Additional visitor guidelines apply for some patients. Children under 12 are not permitted to visit hospitals or units without prior approval from health care providers and for special circumstances. Visitors are urged to wear masks while visiting patients and to wash their hands frequently. Visitors with fever, cough or other flu-like symptoms should stay at home.
This announcement from Duke Health comes shortly after Cape Fear Valley Hospitals and WakeMed Hospitals implemented their visitor limitations, which started the week of Christmas.