Charlotte, North Carolina, December 30, 2025
Charlotte-area hospitals, including Novant Health and Iredell Memorial Hospital, have implemented new visitor restrictions to combat a surge in respiratory illnesses like influenza, RSV, and COVID-19. These measures include limiting visitors under certain age thresholds and discouraging visits from individuals displaying flu-like symptoms. The updated policies aim to protect both patients and healthcare workers from increasing contagion rates as health officials report a dramatic rise in flu cases and hospital admissions across the region.
Charlotte: Hospitals Implement New Visitor Restrictions Amid Surge in Respiratory Illnesses
Charlotte, North Carolina – Area hospitals, including Novant Health facilities and Iredell Memorial Hospital, have implemented or reinforced visitor restrictions starting Tuesday, December 30, to protect patients and staff from a significant rise in contagious respiratory illnesses. This measure comes as health officials observe a noticeable increase in cases of influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 across the region and state.
Enhanced Safety Protocols Begin
Novant Health initiated its updated visitor policy at 7 a.m. on December 30, limiting children under 13 from visiting hospitalized patients across its North Carolina facilities. Exceptions are made for special circumstances, such as visiting a newborn sibling or a family member in end-of-life care. Individuals experiencing flu-like symptoms, including cough, runny nose, sore throat, or fever, are strongly advised not to visit. While masking remains optional for most visitors, those with symptoms seeking medical treatment are required to wear a mask.
Similarly, Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville also began enforcing visitor restrictions at noon on December 30. Children under the age of 14 are not permitted to visit patients, with exceptions for newborn siblings or family members in end-of-life care, which must be arranged with the patient’s care team. The hospital strongly requests that anyone with a cough, cold, fever, or sore throat refrain from visiting. Visitors are encouraged to utilize available masks, hand sanitizer, and tissues at public entrances. Standard visiting hours at Iredell Memorial Hospital are from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with visitation outside these hours considered only in compassionate care or end-of-life situations.
Earlier in December, other Charlotte-area hospital systems, including Atrium Health and CaroMont Health, also announced visitor limitations. Atrium Health advised against visits from individuals with respiratory symptoms and generally restricted children 12 and younger from patient care areas unless a clinical team approves an exception. Masks are recommended in patient care and waiting areas at Atrium Health facilities. CaroMont Health’s restrictions require visitors to be at least 13 years old and symptom-free to enter patient areas.
Rising Illness Across North Carolina
The imposition of these restrictions is a direct response to a significant uptick in respiratory virus activity. Dr. David Priest, senior vice president and chief safety and quality officer at Novant Health, noted a “noticeable rise in respiratory viruses including flu cases across the communities we serve.” Data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services indicates a sharp increase in influenza-like illness, which accounted for 5% of emergency department visits statewide by December 13, up from 1% on November 8. Over the same period, hospital admissions for flu-like symptoms saw a 493% increase. The H3N2 subvariant, which is currently the dominant subvariant in the U.S., is more contagious than others and makes up nearly 90% of total cases reported in the country Nationwide, according to CDC data. Some research suggests that H3N2 seasons tend to be associated with more severe illness and higher rates of hospitalization and death, especially among older adults.
Beyond influenza, COVID-19 continues to pose a threat. Wastewater monitoring in Mecklenburg County, which includes Charlotte, showed varying levels of the SARS-CoV-2 virus as of December 17, with some sewersheds indicating high concentrations. Regional COVID-related hospital admissions in the tri-county area have climbed 25% since early December. Additionally, RSV-related emergency room visits in both Brunswick and Pender counties have more than doubled in the last 21 days, with Pender facing a 150% increase and Brunswick 111%.
Health officials emphasize that collective efforts are essential to curb the spread of these illnesses. Recommendations include staying home when sick, staying current on recommended vaccines for flu and COVID-19, practicing frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, improving airflow by opening windows, and seeking the appropriate level of care when necessary.
Texas Law Offers Potential Relief for Health Insurance Premiums as Federal Subsidies Expire
Elsewhere in the nation, a significant development in healthcare affordability is unfolding in Texas. A little-known Texas law is poised to help keep health insurance premiums low for residents as enhanced federal subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are set to expire on December 31.
Mitigating Rising Costs State-Level
The expiration of these federal subsidies, which were expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, is a major concern Nationwide, as millions of Americans could face higher premiums in the new year. In Texas, the impact is particularly notable, where ACA enrollment surged from 1.3 million people in 2021 to 3.9 million by 2025. The ending of these enhanced premium tax credits could potentially double the average premium payment for subsidized enrollees in nearly every congressional district in Texas, according to analysis from a health policy organization.
The Texas law addresses this by allowing for a practice known as “silver loading.” This involves strategically raising the price of mid-tier, or silver, plans on paper. This adjustment in turn increases the amount of federal subsidies available, which can then be used to lower the actual costs on other plans, such as bronze, gold, or other silver plans. This mechanism provides Texas residents with more flexibility when federal subsidies expire, allowing them to pay lower premiums next year.
While this State-level law will not magically erase all cost increases, it offers a crucial tool to help some Texans stay covered for a more manageable price. Consumers still have time to review their current coverage and shop for plans, as open enrollment for ACA plans continues through January 15. The discussion around these expiring subsidies and state-level responses highlights ongoing efforts to ensure healthcare affordability across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Charlotte-area hospitals restricting visitors?
Charlotte-area hospitals, including Novant Health facilities and Iredell Memorial Hospital, are restricting visitors to protect patients and staff from a significant rise in contagious respiratory illnesses, such as influenza, RSV, and COVID-19.
What are the specific visitor restrictions at Novant Health?
Novant Health is limiting children under 13 from visiting hospitalized patients, with exceptions for special circumstances like visiting a newborn sibling or a family member in end-of-life care. Individuals experiencing flu-like symptoms are strongly advised not to visit. Masking is optional but encouraged, and required for those with symptoms seeking treatment.
What are the specific visitor restrictions at Iredell Memorial Hospital?
Iredell Memorial Hospital is not permitting children under the age of 14 to visit patients, with exceptions for newborn siblings or family members in end-of-life care. Anyone with a cough, cold, fever, or sore throat is asked to refrain from visiting. Visitors are encouraged to use available masks, hand sanitizer, and tissues.
When did these visitor restrictions begin in Charlotte?
These visitor restrictions began on Tuesday, December 30; at 7 a.m. for Novant Health and at noon for Iredell Memorial Hospital.
What is the “super flu” mentioned in relation to rising illnesses?
The H3N2 subvariant, which is currently the dominant subvariant in the U.S., is more contagious than others and makes up nearly 90% of total cases reported in the country Nationwide, according to CDC data. This strain is sometimes referred to as “super flu” due to its prevalence and potential for severe illness.
Why are federal health insurance subsidies expiring?
Federal subsidies that have helped keep health insurance premiums on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) lower are set to expire on December 31. These subsidies were expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic.
How will a Texas law help with health insurance premiums?
A little-known Texas law could help keep health insurance premiums low when federal subsidies expire. This State-level law allows for “silver loading,” which involves strategically raising the price of mid-tier (silver) plans on paper to increase federal subsidies, thereby lowering costs for bronze, gold, or other silver plans.
Is open enrollment for health insurance still available?
Yes, open enrollment for Affordable Care Act plans continues through January 15.
Key Features of Recent Health Developments
| Feature | Details | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte Hospital Visitor Restrictions | Implemented by Novant Health (children under 13 restricted) and Iredell Memorial Hospital (children under 14 not permitted), with exceptions for special circumstances and a strong recommendation against visiting with symptoms. Restrictions began December 30. | Local / State-level (North Carolina) |
| Cause of Restrictions | Significant rise in respiratory viruses including influenza (H3N2 subvariant), RSV, and COVID-19. Flu cases Statewide saw a 493% increase in hospital admissions from November 8 to December 13. H3N2 makes up nearly 90% of total cases Nationwide. | Local / State-level / Nationwide |
| Texas Health Insurance Law | A little-known Texas law designed to help keep health insurance premiums low by allowing “silver loading.” This involves strategically adjusting the price of mid-tier plans to increase federal subsidies, benefiting other plan types. | State-level (Texas) |
| Federal Subsidy Expiration | Enhanced federal subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, are set to expire on December 31. This could lead to higher premiums for millions of Americans Nationwide. | Nationwide |
| ACA Open Enrollment | Open enrollment for Affordable Care Act plans continues through January 15. | Nationwide |
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Author: HERE Charlotte
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