With COVID cases on the rise across the state and in the local area, Caldwell Medical Center implemented restricted visitation Friday morning.
Infection Preventionist Mandy Smiley tells the News Edge the hospital has returned to some stricter visitation guidelines to keep visitors, patients, and staff safe. She says due to an uptick in cases and the county being in the “orange” group on the state’s incidence rate map, the facility is allowing one visitor along with different visiting hours.
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Smiley says no visitors are allowed in the emergency department unless someone needs assistance.
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And it’s the same restrictions for surgery patients.
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In addition, Smiley says no visitors are allowed in the hospital-based clinics inside the facility unless a child or an adult needs assistance.
In addition, Smiley says they are asking visitors with COVID-19 symptoms to not come to the hospital.
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According to Smiley, visitors are being required to wear a face mask at all times inside the facility as well as using hand sanitizer of soap and water upon arriving at the hospital and again when exiting the facility. Patients and visitors are also asked to remain 6 feet apart from other people within the facility.
The hospital’s off-site provider clinics also have tightened their guidelines to keep everyone safe.
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Smiley says there are currently no COVID-19 hospitalizations at Caldwell Medical Center, but COVID testing has increased for symptomatic patients.
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Officials say other visitor guidelines for the hospital will depend on Caldwell County’s Current Incidence Rate Map.
