Norfolk General Hospital implements enhanced visitor restrictions

Norfolk General Hospital has implemented enhanced visitor restrictions effective Wednesday, due to a COVID-19 outbreak throughout the facility.

The hospital says there will be no social visitors allowed in the hospital for the foreseeable future.

It also says patients will be allowed two designated Essential Care Providers (ECPs), but only one ECP will be allowed at a time. Visiting hours will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The hospital says all ECPs must follow a set of guidelines including monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms before each visit, wearing a hospital issued mask and having a COVID-19 rapid test performed with a negative result at the hospital to visit inpatient units, among others.

Some exceptions are in place for certain patients, including End of Life- Palliative Care and patients with intellectual and communication impairments.

The hospital says the update visitation guidelines are based on direction from Norfolk General Hospital’s Infection Prevention and Control experts, in collaboration with Regional COVId-19 Taskforce partners.