Visitor Restrictions in Place

Duke Health Hospital Locations (Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, and Duke Raleigh Hospital)

• No visitors will be allowed until further notice with the following limited exceptions:
  • Visitation of a patient nearing the end of life
  • One parent at a time for visitation of a child in an intensive care nursery
  • One parent at a time for pediatric patients
  • One coach or partner for a patient on the labor and delivery or postpartum unit
  • One visitor at a time for patients in inpatient hospice
  • One visitor/support person to accompany patients for hospital discharge 

Duke Health Emergency Departments

• One visitor will be allowed per Emergency Department patient.
  • These exceptions will allow the visitor to enter the facility after screening, and go to the patient’s bedside.
  • No visitors are allowed to wait in the lobby or waiting rooms.

 Duke Health Outpatient Surgery

• Pediatric surgical patients will be allowed one visitor.
• Outpatient surgical patients will be allow one visitor to accompany a patient to facilitate care for a procedure or same-day surgery.
• Visitors will be screened alongside patients prior to entering the facility.
• The visitor will be required to remain in a designated waiting room during the procedure or surgery.

 
Duke Health Outpatient Clinics

• One visitor is allowed to accompany each patient to an appointment unless an additional aide or assistant is required.
• Visitors will be screened alongside patients prior to entering the clinic.

Until further notice, all visitors will wear masks in addition to our team members and patients. You can bring your own or one will be provided. All patients will wear masks in common spaces, such as waiting rooms, cafeterias, and hallways. Hospitalized patients do not need to wear masks in their rooms.

All patients and visitors to Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, and Duke Raleigh Hospital, along with all Duke Health clinics, will be asked if they have symptoms of illness and exposure risks upon arrival.

People without symptoms will be given a wristband and allowed to enter.

Those who have non-severe symptoms such as fever or cough will be given information about what to do and asked to return home to help prevent the potential spread of illness.

People who are actively experiencing severe symptoms – including fever and respiratory trouble -- should call their doctor before going to any health care facility for guidance on what to do next. Patients who do not call ahead risk infecting other patients as well as care providers.

If you believe you are having a medical emergency, call 911.

Everyone should take the following precautions:

• wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds
• avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
• cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze
• avoid contact with sick people
• avoid large crowds

The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other respiratory illnesses like the flu. These include

• fever
• cough
• shortness of breath

If you have recently traveled and feel sick, call before visiting your doctor’s office, urgent care clinic, or emergency room. Your doctor will let you know what to do next and if you need to be tested for COVID-19.

If you’re concerned that you’ve been exposed or have a general question about COVID-19 you can call:

• North Carolina COVID-19 Hotline: 866-462-3821 (open 24 hours, seven days a week). 
• For non-emergency COVID-19 questions: Call 211 or text “COVIDNC” to 898211
• Duke Health COVID-19 Hotline: 919-385-0429 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm, seven days a week) 

As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases grows across the nation, we understand your concern for the rapidly evolving situation. We want to assure you that Duke Health has comprehensive plans in place to care for our community and support our team members.

View our COVID-19 section for more information.