Masks and Restrictions Needed Due to RSV
The changes are in select areas of hospitals to protect young children.
Greensboro – Starting Wednesday, Nov. 15, masks and visitor restrictions go into effect in areas that care for infants and children at Alamance Regional Medical Center and The Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital. This is being done due to an increase in RSV or respiratory syncytial virus. 
The percentage of children testing positive for RSV has nearly doubled in the past month at Cone Health. RSV is a common virus that can cause severe infections in children and adults over 60. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 58,000-80,000 children younger than 5 years are hospitalized due to RSV infections yearly. The illness tends to be more prevalent this time of year.
To prevent the spread of RSV, visitors will be required to wear masks and children ages 12 and under may not visit most labor and delivery units, neonatal intensive units and special care units of Alamance Regional and Moses Cone Hospital. These restrictions also apply to the Moses Cone Hospital Children’s Unit and children’s emergency department. (Of course, children under 12 can still receive care there.) Full visitation details can be found at conehealth.com/visit and will be updated to reflect these changes on the 15th.
RSV can be prevented in newborns if their moms are vaccinated at 32-36 weeks of pregnancy. Vaccines are also available for people over the age of 60. Pregnant women and people over 60 should ask their health care provider to see if the RSV vaccine is right for them.
