A recent rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Schuylkill County prompted local hospitals to restrict visitors once again.
These visitation policies were in place at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic but were relaxed a bit over the summer. Now, the with state Dept. of Health reporting higher numbers of COVID cases in Schuylkill County and across Pennsylvania, those restrictions are back in place.
Schuylkill County Hospitals Once Again Restrict Visitors Due to Rising COVID Case Reports
On Sunday, Lehigh Valley Health Network followed the lead taken by Geisinger-St. Luke’s Hospital.
LVHN says starting this morning at 7, a “No Visitation/No Access Policy” is in effect. The policy affects all LVHN hospitals, including the two in Pottsville, as well as all outpatient offices and Lehigh Valley Physician Group offices.
There are some exceptions to this policy and visitors can be admitted if they’re:
- Visiting a gravely ill patient in the ICU
- A parent visiting a child in pediatric or neonatal ICU care
- A coach or partner of a patient in the labor or delivery unit
- A person visiting someone in an inpatient hospice unit
- A parent or guardian of a pediatric patient
- Visiting to assist with discharging a patient
- Visiting someone undergoing a same-day surgery
- Visiting someone in the ER
No children under the age of 12 can be a visitor at LVHN facilities under these restrictions.
Geisinger-St. Luke’s Restricts Visitors
On Oct. 26, Geisinger-St. Luke’s Hospital in Orwigsburg updated its policy on visitors that mirrors that at LVHN.
For regular hospital visits, no one under the age of 12 is allowed to visit. Visitors may only go to Geisinger-St. Luke’s if they’re visiting someone nearing the end of their life, someone who has a developmental disability, or for someone being discharged from the hospital.
In the ER, one visitor per patient is allowed. Visitors under the age of 12 may visit if they’re in good health and pass a health screening.
And at outpatient office and the medical office building, one visitor per patient is allowed. That includes children under the age of 12.
ALSO READ:
- North Schuylkill School District Maintains a COVID Tracker to Inform Public
- Blue Mountain High School Going Full Virtual Until December
- Tri-Valley HS Back to Full Virtual Schedule Following Positive COVID Tests, Quarantines
- Saint Clair School District Going Full Virtual Until After Thanksgiving
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