Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City is implementing additional visitor restrictions, effective Monday (Nov. 16), because of rising COVID-19 cases in the area.
According to the new restrictions, patients will be allowed just one visitor per day. Previously, patients were allowed one visitor at a time, the hospital reported this evening (Nov. 13) in a written statement.
In addition, the Mercy Clinic entrance will be closed, and all patients and visitors will be asked to use the main hospital entrance.
The emergency entrance will be open to emergency patients only. Visitors will not be allowed to wait in the emergency room waiting area. However, they will be allowed to enter once the emergency patient has a room and a COVID-19 diagnosis is ruled out.
The measures are being put in place “in order to keep patients, visitors and co-workers safe during the surging COVID-19 pandemic,” the hospital reported.
Hospital visiting hours will still be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“As always, limited exceptions are made for compassionate care,” the hospital reported.
Everyone who enters the hospital must wear a face mask.
“We understand the hardship these restrictions place on our patients, visitors and even co-workers,” said Eric Ammons, president of Mercy Hospital Jefferson. “But with widespread, uncontrolled transmission of the coronavirus, these steps are necessary to protect everyone. We look forward to the day the virus is under control and we can begin to remove these and other restrictions.”
For more information about visitor restriction, see the Mercy website at mercy.net/covid19.
