COVID-19 Information Hospital Visitation Guidelines Update – The State Department of Health

One family member and/or legal representative at a time as a support person should be permitted at the patient bedside, where death is anticipated within less than 24 hours.

The patient and/or family/caregiver may designate up to two support people; but only one support person may be present at a time.

In the event the patient is a parent of a minor child, one adult family member and one child may be permitted at the patient bedside.

This restriction must be explained to the patient and/or support person in plain terms, upon arrival or, ideally, prior to arriving at the hospital. Hospital staff should ensure that patients and/or support person fully understand this restriction. Individuals age 70 years or older, are not encouraged to be support persons at this time due to increased risk of COVID-19 infection.

The support person of a patient with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 who has been a close contact of the patient has potentially already been exposed to COVID-19. These support persons should:

• Wear a surgical or procedure mask throughout their time in the hospital,

• Practice scrupulous hand hygiene,

• Remain in the patient’s room except for entrance and exit from the hospital; and

• While in the room, a gown and gloves should be worn to prevent the person’s hands or

clothes from becoming contaminated. Eye protection should be worn while in the room if available.

If the support person of a patient with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 has not been a close contact of the patient and does not have a history of confirmed COVID-19, the support person should:

• Wear a surgical or procedure mask throughout their time in the hospital,

• Practice scrupulous hand hygiene,

• Remain in the patient’s room except for entrance and exit from the hospital, and

• While in the patient’s room, a gown and gloves should be worn to prevent the person’s

hands or clothes from becoming contaminated. Eye protection should be worn while in the room if available.

• Again, in these circumstances the risks of acquiring COVID-19 should be fully explained, so that the patient and support person can make an informed decision of whether or not the support person’s presence at the patient bedside is essential to the patient’s health.

If the patient does not have confirmed or suspected COVID-19, the support person should:

• Wear a surgical or procedure mask throughout their time in the hospital,

• Practice scrupulous hand hygiene, and

• Remain in the patient’s room except for entrance and exit from the hospital.