UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital to Limit Visitor Access

A Statement From UHS Norwich Hospital

"Based on best practices at hospitals nationwide as COVID-19 continues to spread, UHS Chenango Memorial is restricting visitors at the hospital and all of its off-site locations.

“The safety of our patients, visitors and staff is always our top priority, and the intent of these precautions is to limit contact that may put people at unnecessary risk, while at the same time maintaining high-quality care and service,” said Dr. Drake Lamen, President and CEO at UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital.

Under the new policy, all patients and visitors will be screened upon arrival. In addition:

· Only one healthy visitor will be allowed per patient at a time.

· Patients coming for medical appointments or testing may only be accompanied by one healthy individual.

· Children under the age of 18 are restricted from visiting at this time.

· Patients seeking care will be seen, but visitors experiencing cough, sore throat, fever, or any other flu-like symptoms will not be permitted.

· Individuals who are asymptomatic but have an international travel history, have recently been in a community with active cases of COVID-19, or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus will be screened according to CDC guidelines.

· If you are experiencing symptoms, please call your provider’s office or emergency room before arriving.

“Given that we serve populations at high risk for COVID-19, we believe these measures are prudent at this time,” said Lamen.

Patients and visitors arriving at the hospital are asked to enter through the Main Entrance, located to the rear of the building. This does not apply to patients seeking care in the Emergency Room or patients of the UHS Women’s Health Center.

The visitor restrictions and screening policies went into effect at 8 a.m. Tuesday. According to Lamen, the changes are part of a much larger emergency preparedness effort undertaken by the hospital in conjunction with its system partners at UHS."