Southeastern Regional Medical Center is restricting visitation because of the rise in flu cases.LUMBERTON, NC (WECT) - Southeastern Regional Medical Center is restricting visitation effective immediately because of the recent increase in reported flu cases.
The hospital's infection control department reports 107 cases already in December. That's up from 31 positive cases of flu in November.
"The increase in influenza A cases so early in the flu season should be considered an early warning for the possibility of a harsher flu season to come," said Dr. Troy Sterk in a news release Thursday.
The visitation restrictions:
- No one under the age of 18 will be permitted in patient care areas or in areas above the first floor.
- Two immediate family members will be allowed per visit except in the emergency department, where only one immediate family member will be allowed per visit.
- Any pastor/clergy who has registered with the pastoral care services department and has an SRMC clergy badge will be allowed to visit patients at the medical center.
Any individual with flu-like symptoms is asked not to visit patients at Southeastern Regional Medical Center until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours.
General visiting hours are from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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