Flu Outbreak Leads Hospital System To Bar Visitors 12 And Under

MANASSAS, VA — Novant Health UVA Health System is asking the community to keep visitors age 12 and under out of its hospitals in the region, unless seeking treatment, because of a widespread outbreak of the flu virus throughout the area.

The restrictions will take effect at 7 a.m. Wednesday at its facilities in the region and last until further notice.

"The flu virus can be extremely dangerous to people who have compromised immune systems, cancer, kidney disease and other chronic conditions," said a statement Tuesday by Stephen Smith, M.D., president and chief operating officer of Novant Health UVA Health System Haymarket Medical Center and Prince William Medical Center. "Visitor restrictions protect our patients and reduce the likelihood that children who are visiting might encounter the flu."

The restrictions will apply to the Novant Health UVA Health System Prince William Medical Center in Manassas, the Novant Health UVA Health System Haymarket Medical Center and the Novant Health UVA Health System Culpeper Medical Center.

People who are seeking treatment at hospitals are not subject to the restrictions. In the event of special circumstances, such as visiting a dying family member, children may be allowed access to hospital areas provided parents make these arrangements with the patient's nurse, the health system said.

Nationwide, the flu season went into overdrive with a spike in the final week of 2019. In Virginia alone, a total of 255 deaths have been confirmed in the state this flu season from pneumonia and influenza, according to the Virginia Department of Health.