Sovah Health began transitioning from a zero-visitor protocol to limited visitor restrictions on June 22, as the hospital gradually resumes elective and non-urgent cases and services at its Martinsville campus. Now both Sovah Health campuses are following a limited visitor restriction.
The decision was made as current projections continue to indicate a lower than expected volume of COVID-19 in the region and after careful review of state and federal guidance. The updated restrictions, which will now allow some patients to have one visitor or support person per day, have been implemented effective immediately.
“Our hospital’s top priority is safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our patients, providers, employees and community,” said Dale Alward, chief executive officer of Sovah Health-Martinsville. “We continue to monitor closely the prevalence of the virus in our community as we adapt our operations to safely care for and support our patients, and we feel confident that it is safe to begin allowing limited visitors again at this time.”
As part of the updated visitor restrictions, some patients are now limited to one well visitor per day for the telemetry and medical/surgical areas, one support person for obstetric patients and one parent or guardian for pediatric patients. All visitors must be 18 years of age or older, will be screened upon entry and are required to bring and wear a mask and an armband while in the facility. Visitors who do not meet screening criteria at entry will be asked to reschedule their visit until they are symptom-free. Visitors are not allowed for patients who are high-risk (located in the Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department and Behavioral Health), in isolation, are immunocompromised or patients who are under observation or test positive for COVID-19.
Sovah Health continues to screen everyone who enters the facility for symptoms consistent with COVID-19, per CDC guidelines. For additional updates on how the hospital is working to maintain a safe and supportive environment during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit SovahHealth.com.
