Children now permitted to visit the hospital
To help prevent the spread of H1N1, in October Piedmont Medical Center suspended those under age 18 from visiting the hospital.
Now that there's been a significant decrease in the number of H1N1 cases reported nationwide, Piedmont is lifting these visitation restrictions.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, visits to doctors for influenza-like illness nationally are low. Overall, cumulative hospitalization rates for the 2009-10 influenza season also have leveled off in all age groups.
To protect patients, staff and visitors, Piedmont still asks those with flu-like symptoms or other contagious illnesses not to visit the hospital unless they are receiving medical treatment.