COVID-19: Adventist Health Sonora tightens protocols,

Health care workers and doctors who work at Adventist Health Sonora are limiting the number of visitors and others allowed in hospital facilities and other facilities to try to reduce the spread of COVID-19 as Tuolumne County case numbers continue to surge.

“In order to protect staff and patients, Adventist Health Sonora is taking further steps to reduce potential exposures and enhancing efforts to enable social distancing,” Adventist Health Sonora said in an announcement.

“The first step is to limit the number of people entering the hospital, medical offices and other outpatient facilities.”

The most current data available from the county Public Health Department on Wednesday showed nine individuals who have tested positive for coronavirus were hospitalized. There were 46 new cases of COVID-19 and 254 active cases in the county on Tuesday.

Safety measures at the hospital require daily symptom screening and temperature checks, face masks and frequent hand hygiene for everyone entering its facilities. Hospital administrators and team leaders urge everyone in the county to prevent further spread of COVID-19 by following the same precautions.

“This disease is devastating for patients and families and has the potential of severely affecting the most vulnerable in our community,” Dr. Alex Heard, the hospital’s chief medical officer, said in an announcement. “Research has proven that consistently wearing a face mask in public and around anyone from outside your household reduces the spread of COVID-19. Please protect those around you and wear your mask.”

For hospitalized patients at Adventist Health Sonora, care team members have ipad internet tablets available so families can stay connected with their loved ones by visiting virtually.

New protocols at the hospital’s facilities took effect Wednesday.

The hospital and its facilities are “prepared to safely care for patients while meeting guidelines within California’s most restrictive Tier 1, or purple tier, on the Blueprint for a Safer Economy,” according to the announcement.

Visitors will not be allowed, except for one visitor or support person for patients being cared for in pediatrics, birth center, and end-of-life care facilities, as well as patients with disabilities or cognitive impairment, Adventist Health Sonora said.

“Health care is essential, and all of Adventist Health Sonora’s services remain open, safely providing in-person care for patients with routine, urgent or emergency healthcare needs,” hospital communications staff said. “Medical offices are equipped to offer virtual visits when appropriate.”