CHARLESTON, .W.Va. — Hospitals around West Virginia are restricting visitation as a coronavirus precaution, starting today.
For most, that includes limiting the number of visitors as well as steering people through specific entrances.
“We are asking that our patients have just one visitor at a time, and we are screening our visitors,” Dr. Gregory Nelcamp, senior vice president for clinical affairs, at Mon Health System, said today on “Talk of the Town” on WAJR Radio.
“The basic public health principle is we want to do everything we can to protect patients and staff by keeping the covid-19 out of our buildings.”
That’s the case at other hospitals around West Virginia also.
WVU Medicine says minimal visitation is encouraged and visitors with a cough, fever, shortness of breath, and/or fatigue should reschedule their visit.
In some countries such as Italy, hospitals have been overwhelmed by patients with the coronavirus. Hospitals are starting now to try to limit exposure.
The WVU Medicine system’s new visitation policy went into effect today. Additional guidelines include:
- Visitors will be limited to just one per patient in the hospital at a time.
- All visitors are required to obtain a visitor’s badge before entering patient areas.
- Children under the age of 16 are not permitted to visit the hospital.
- Visiting hours are restricted; check with your local hospital for details.
- Valet services are limited.
- Exceptions to these restrictions will be made on a case-by-case basis based on special circumstances and/or prior approval of designated leadership.
All visitors are required to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer frequently.
WVU Medicine, also known as the WVU Health System, includes J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital and WVU Medicine Children’s in Morgantown, Berkeley Medical Center in Martinsburg, Braxton County Memorial Hospital in Gassaway, Camden Clark Medical Center in Parkersburg, Jackson General Hospital in Ripley, Jefferson Medical Center in Ranson, Potomac Valley Hospital in Keyser, Reynolds Memorial Hospital in Glen Dale, St. Joseph’s Hospital in Buckhannon, Summersville Regional Medical Center in Summersville, and United Hospital Center in Bridgeport.
Another big West Virginia hospital system, Charleston Area Medical Center, also announced a new visitation policy starting today.
The policy establishes on visitor per patient, during the hours of noon to 6 p.m., although that limitation does not need to be someone considered essential to the patient.
There are more flexible guidelines for visitors considered essential for the care of the patient such as a parent, spouse or caregiver. Those essential visitors are not limited to the noon to 6 p.m. visiting hour restriction.
CAMC will also be phasing in restricted points of entry at each hospital location, starting with CAMC Memorial Hospital and the CAMC Cancer Center, on today.
Each hospital will be accessible through the main entrance and/or the Emergency Department only.
All other entrances will be closed to the public. All visitors will be checked in upon entry.
CAMC has special instructions for people who are concerned that they may be experiencing symptoms of coronavirus
Symptoms include a runny nose, sore throat, cough, and fever. Illness can be more severe for some people and can lead to pneumonia or breathing difficulties.
Those who are concerned they might be experiencing symptoms may use CAMC’s 24/7 Care app to talk to a provider free anytime, day or night.
People then may request a free visit using coupon code COVID. A CAMC provider would then call you or video chat with you to talk about your symptoms and provide additional information if it’s necessary to be screened for coronavirus.
Thomas Memorial Hospital in South Charleston rolled out a similar visitation policy, starting today.
The policy at Thomas also restricts entrance points.
Wheeling Hospital is limiting visitors but also restricting them entirely at the Continuous Care Center.
Cabell-Huntington Hospital is restricting visitors too.