From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — As of Dec. 31, Mission Health hospitals and affiliates began temporarily to limit visitation due to a high rate of influenza in Western North Carolina, Mission Health announced in a Dec. 30 press release.

The limit is two visitors per patient and only those ages 13 and older can visit, according to the release.

The following locations are implementing the visitation restriction:

• Mission Hospital in Asheville

• CarePartners in Asheville

• Mission Hospital McDowell in Marion

• Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard

• Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine

• Angel Medical Center in Franklin

• Highlands-Cashiers Hospital in Highlands

“Visitor restrictions will remain until reported flu-like activity lessens,” the press release stated.

“Mission Health urges people to get the flu vaccine.

“Mission Health also urges people with flu symptoms to stay home and practice etiquette like covering a cough or sneeze and handwashing. 

“If symptoms worsen, seek medical care, the release urged.”

If an individual needs advice on whether or not to visit the emergency room, urgent care or walk-in clinic like Mission My Care Now, the hospital group also offers a free Consult-A-Nurse line at (844) 706-8773. 

“The Consult-A-Nurse line helps with understanding symptoms and learn about treatment options,” the release stated.

In deciding to limit visitation, Mission Health cited the North Carolina Public Health Division, which noted that flu-like illness activity in the state has reached more that 6 percent and local transmission has risen.

The press release added that exceptions to the visitor restriction will be considered for cases like end-of-life or pediatric patients.

Mission Health is not the only local health care system restricting visitation as  AdventHealth, on Dec. 29, also issued visitor restrictions. And as of Dec 30, UNC Health Pardee implemented visitation restrictions. Both hospitals are Hendersonville-based.