Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Local hospitals easing restrictions
Number of COVID-19 cases decreasing in area and statewide
WEST CHESTER >> With just two weeks left until many COVIDrelated restrictions are lifted in Pennsylvania, hospitals in Chester County are beginning to ease visitation requirements.
“The (COVID) numbers have decreased drastically, said Angela Coladonato, chief nursing officer at Chester County Hospital. “The number of cases have really decreased in Chester County. We have lived through this crisis for over a year, and I know people are worried, but we have to start loosening up more.”
The restrictions put in place at Chester County Hospital and other hospitals in Chester County during the heart of the pandemic set the stage for heartbreaking stories. Families and friends were unable to say their final goodbye to loved ones and mothers giving birth without being permitted to have family inside the hospital.
Visitation now at Chester County is limited from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but after May 31, that will change, though the exact hours have not been established. Just one visitor is allowed into each patients room now, but that number will increase after May 31 as
well.
“I support extending visitation out into evening, because if you are a working person, and you want to come in and visit after work, you are stuck,” Caladonato said. “I am encouraging our team to extend our (visitation) hours to 8 or 9 at night.”
No visitors are permitted in the Emergency Room, and still will be required to stay in their vehicles outside. Staff will be meeting prior to May 31 to make a determination of ER visits.
Just this week, the hospital’s cafeteria — which had been off limits to the public since the pandemic hit — will open again for visitors and patients.
All visitors will still be screened for COVID upon entering the hospital, though after May 31, showing a vaccination card may be enough to bypass even that. All visitors, patients and still will continue to be screened every day. Those with symptoms are referred for testing. Patients with symptoms who are coming for an appointment will have their appointments rescheduled.
The hospital will continue to make exceptions on its visitation policy for end-of-life patients, Coladonato said.
Currently at Chester County Hospital, five people are being treated for coronavirus. Since the pandemic began, 785 people have died of coronavirus.
In the past few weeks, the number of cases reported in Chester County has declined significantly, which officials attribute to a combination of the vaccine and mitigation efforts.
Nearly three out of every four adults in Chester County is fully vaccinated, the best in the state.