Saratoga Hospital adopts no visitors policy due to rising cases
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> Saratoga Hospital returned to a no visitors policy as part of the hospital’s response to a rise in COVID-19 cases in Saratoga County.
The policy is in place at Saratoga Hospital — including the Alfred Z. Solomon Emergency Center — as well as at Malta Med Emergent Care, Urgent Care — Wilton, Urgent Care — Adirondack, Saratoga Surgery Center and all Saratoga Hospital Medical Group primary care and specialty practice locations.
Compassionate exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Separate visitation guidelines are in place for patients in the Mother-Baby Unit, Mental Health Unit and Mollie Wilmot Radiation Oncology Center. More detailed information is available at SaratogaHospital. org.
Since July 1, the seven-day rolling average positivity rate for COVID in Saratoga County has increased from 0.5% July 1 to 4.1% Aug. 12. In recent weeks, Saratoga County consistently has had one of the highest positivity rates in New York state. Hospitalizations, especially of unvaccinated individuals, have increased significantly.
“The delta variant is here, and we’re seeing the impact on our community, especially on those who are not vaccinated,” said Dr. Richard Falivena, vice president and chief medical and physician integration officer at Saratoga Hospital in a press release. “As we have since the beginning of the pandemic, we must continue to track the spread of COVID-19 and make the necessary adjustments to protect our patients, staff and the community as a whole.”
The hospital has adopted other protective measures, including requiring all people in Saratoga Hospital facilities— both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals — to wear appropriate masks. As of Sept. 7, the hospital also is requiring employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing for the coronavirus.