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Orlando Health: Only 1 visitor per hospital patient allowed amid coronavirus outbreak

Updated  March 21, 2020 12:20pm EDT
Coronavirus Florida
FOX 35 Orlando
This picture taken during a press presentation of the hospitalization service for future patients with coronavirus at Samson Assuta Ashdod University Hospital in the southern Israeli city of Ashdod shows the director of the epidemics service Dr Karina Glick checking a medical ventilator control panel at a ward on March 16, 2020. article

This picture taken during a press presentation of the hospitalization service for future patients with coronavirus at Samson Assuta Ashdod University Hospital in the southern Israeli city of Ashdod shows the director of the epidemics service Dr Karin (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

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ORLANDO, Fla. - Orlando Health announced on Saturday that they are suspending routine visitation in its hospitals "until the transmission of COVID-19 is no longer a threat to the community."

The new rules are effective immediately.

"The new guidelines, which were developed to enhance the health and safety of patients, visitors and care teams and to support social distancing, apply to all Orlando Health facilities," the  hospital said in a statement.

The hospital says visitation after 9:00 p.m. will be suspended except at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies or during emergent situations at all other Orlando Health facilities.

RELATED: TSA confirms 3rd case of COVID-19 at Orlando International Airport
 
The changes are as follows:

  • Patients will be allowed one adult visitor (18 years or older) and it must be the same visitor for the duration of the patient’s stay, unless specified otherwise.
  • All visitors will be screened and must be absent of symptoms of and exposure to the coronavirus.
  • Visitation after 9:00 pm will be suspended except for emergent situations.
  • No visitors will be allowed in rooms of a patient who is suspected of or confirmed to have COVID-19.

Exceptions to the guidelines include:

  • No visitors will be allowed in the Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital Behavioral Health unit.
  • Patients who are under the age of 18 may have two visitors (parents or guardians), who must remain in the patient’s room for the duration of the visit.
  • Visitor restrictions in the Neonatal units (NICU) will be communicated directly to parents.
  • Patients who are at the end-of-life may have two visitors who must remain in the room for the duration of the visit..      Visitors may not remove any supplies or equipment from the hospital.
  • All other exceptions to these guidelines must be cleared by the administrator or leader of the specific clinical area.