Manatee Memorial bans most hospital visitors because of COVID-19
Manatee Memorial Hospital is banning most visitiors to the hospital because of the novel coronavirus.
The only visitors being allowed at this time is for a single person accompanying someone to the emergency room. However, that visitor will only be allowed to wait in the outside waiting area and will not be allowed to accompany anyone into the inpatient area.
If the visitor leaves the area, they will not be allowed to return.
All visitors will be screened upon arrival and be asked about recent contacts with anyone who has exhibited signs of fever, cough or influenza-type symptoms, as well as recent travels.
The only other exception to visitors at this time is for end-of-life situations and for neonatal and pediatric patients. Visitors will be limited to a specific room only.
Other than those limited excpetions, “Visitors are not permitted in the hospital,” the hospital said Wednesday.
The hospital also is encouraging the use of FaceTime or Skype in lieu of in-person visits.
Manatee Memorial keeps an active coronavirus update at the top of their website at manateememorial.com.
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 1:49 PM.