BVHS limits visitors

Effective Monday, Blanchard Valley Health System will be further limiting the number of visitors coming into its facilities due to the increased rise in COVID-19 cases. The health system has reached the "purple" level of visitor restrictions in its color-coded system, based on community spread of 200 cases or more per 100,000 and the health system's own triggers. Hancock Public Health reported Friday that the incidence of the virus in the county is currently 1,031.9 cases per 100,000. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines "high incidence" as 100 cases or more per 100,000 people in a two-week period. Dr. Renee Smith, chief medical officer, said the health system decided to institute the strictest visitor policy due to the transmissibility of the virus and the high number of local cases. She said the hope is that the change will be "short-lived" as cases begin to decline. Specific rules on visitation vary depending on where the patient is receiving care, and whether the patient is COVID-positive. For example, in the emergency department, COVID-positive patients are permitted no visitors; while COVID-negative patients are permitted one designated visitor 16 or older for the entire length of their stay. The full updated guidelines can be found at https://www.bvhealthsystem.org/services/covid-19-information/covid-19-visitor-information In accordance with the updated guidelines, all visitors must wear a mask at all times, including time spent in the room of a loved one. The health system will provide an appropriate mask to those who don't have one, after having announced in late December it was prohibiting cloth masks at all its facilities. Visitors are required to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer every time they enter or exit a patient room. Blanchard Valley staff continue to take temperatures of visitors at the door. Visitors with symptoms or a high temperature will not be allowed into the facility. "Medical professionals have the right to refuse appointments to those who do not comply," the health system added. Arthurs: 419-427-8494