The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Lake Health announces new visitor restrictions
New policy already in place due to coronavirus, officials report
As the number of novel coronavirus cases in Ohio continues to grow — 564, with 11 in Lake County as of March 24 — Lake Health has for the second time in a week announced new visitor restrictions in efforts to minimize exposure to COVID-19.
Visitation will no longer be allowed in Lake Health hospitals, clinics and other outpatient facilities.
The new policy has already taken effect, officials confirm.
According to Lake Health, visitation remains restricted, except under the following circumstances:
• Obstetric patients may have one support person/visitor
• Patients who are under the age of 18 may be visited or accompanied by up to two parents or guardians
• Patients with altered mental status, cognitive impairment, developmental delays or disruptive behavior, where a family member is key to their care, may have one visitor
• Patients who require a home caregiver to be trained
• Patients undergoing surgery or procedures may have one visitor, who must leave as soon as possible after the procedure
• Patients who have an appointment at a Lake Health clinic, laboratory, radiology or
are visiting the Emergency Department may have one person with them
• Patients who are at the end of life may have up to two visitors
Visitors who qualify under one of the exceptions above may only visit from 8 a.m. to noon and 4 to 8 p.m. Visitors must be absent of symptoms such as fever or cough when they are screened or they will not be allowed to visit.
No visitors will be allowed in rooms of persons
under investigation or who have tested positive for COVID-19 unless at the end of life.
Visitors and patients must use the main entrance to check in before proceeding into the hospitals. Patients with medical emergencies should enter through the emergency department.
All visitors will be screened upon entrance, and any visitor who appears ill will be asked to leave. As always, in case of a medical emergency, individuals should call 911.