Dignity Health Central Coast announced on Tuesday that their hospital visitations are being limited due to significant flu-like activity in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties and concerns about transmitting COVID-19.
Health officials with Arroyo Grande Community Hospital, French Hospital Medical Center and Marian Regional Medical Center have implemented visitor restrictions.
Dignity Health officials say effective immediately, the following restrictions are in place:
· All visitors must be 16 years of age or older.
· Only one visitor at a time per patient is allowed in the hospital, with exceptions for individual situations requiring special consideration.
· We are offering patients the convenience of electronic communication options as an alternative to hospital visitation.
· Patients and visitors may only enter through the hospital Emergency Department. All other entrances are employee-access only.
· All community workshops and classes, bariatric seminars and support groups, prenatal classes, birthing tours and classes will be postponed until further notice.
· Only one labor and delivery care partner is permitted (FHMC & MRMC)
· Mission Hope Cancer Center in Arroyo Grande and Santa Maria has restricted visitation to one care partner.
· Mission Hope Cancer Center in Arroyo Grande and Santa Maria has restricted visitation to one care partner.
· All hospital gift shops are closed until further notice.
· In an abundance of caution, hospital cafés are following local public health guidelines and are now serving pre-packaged items. This will not impact patient nutrition.
· In an abundance of caution, hospital cafés are following local public health guidelines and are now serving pre-packaged items. This will not impact patient nutrition.
At FHMC:
· The Hearst Cancer Resource Center will be interfacing with patients by telephone and is in the process of modifying group support sessions to conference calls.
At MRMC:
· Visitors are currently not permitted at Marian Extended Care Center (MECC).
· All prenatal classes, birthing tours, and the Mommy Meet Up support group will be canceled through 3/31/2020.
· Patients may also access the hospital through the outpatient entrance, located at 1400 East Church Street.
According to a press release, visitors are being screened using the standards established by the health department. Additionally, masks are required at all times for Emergency Department patients experiencing fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and/or nasal congestion.
The hospitals ask that if you would like to visit someone in the hospital but you are experiencing fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and/or nasal congestion, please visit on another day when you have been symptom free for at least 48 hours.
Health officials say the restricted visitor policy will be lifted as soon as possible.
