Central Mass. healthcare providers limiting visits in coronavirus precaution

Photo | Grant Welker Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester

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By Grant Welker

Hospitals in Central Massachusetts and nursing homes statewide are taking extra precautions with visitors in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester has limited, as of Wednesday, most patients to just one visitor per day, and asked any visitors to stay home if they have a fever, cough or shortness of breath — potential symptoms of coronavirus. Any patients under age 18 are not allowed. The hospital's Children's Medical Center, the maternity unit and neonatal intensive care unit will be limited to designated parents, legal guardians or surrogates.

Exceptions will also be made in specific circumstances, such as end-of-life care.

UMass Memorial is temporarily restricting all volunteers, vendors and clinical liaisons effective Friday. Some will be allowed by invitation only with approval from UMass Memorial leadership. Among other steps being taken, the hospital is removed self-service food in its cafeterias and changing seating layout to fit smaller groups of four at each table.

UMass Memorial health providers are barred from any out-of-state work travel until May 10.

Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester put new restrictions in place starting Thursday limiting patients to one healthy visitor at a time. Visitors who have traveled internationally recently should not visit, and those under 18 aren't allowed.

Exceptions are being made for end-of-life care and patients 18 or under. The hospital is encouraging patients to instead talk with visitors by phone or through methods such as Facebook or Skype.

Milford Regional Medical Center said Thursday it is limiting patients to one visitor at a time, including the emergency department and maternity unit, where only the birthing partner is allowed. Now prohibited are visitors under 15, those showing signs of respiratory symptoms, or those in close contact with those who have tested positive or traveled to areas including China, Macau, Hong Kong, South Korea, Italy, Iran or Japan.

All community education programs and childbirth education programs at Milford Regional are canceled.

Harrington Hospital in Southbridge put its visitor restrictions in place Tuesday, limiting a patient to one visitor at a time in all care areas and asking visitors experiencing symptoms of fever or cough not to visit.

Heywood Hospital in Gardner is restricting entrances to just two locations and its emergency department, and to one main entrance and the emergency department at its sister campus, Athol Hospital. One healthy visitor is permitted only for delivery patients and end-of-life care, and only one healthy person may join a patient in the emergency department. All classes have been canceled, vendors are restricted.

The state is forcing precautions at nursing and rest homes. With Gov. Charlie Baker's declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, the commissioner of public health, Dr. Monica Bharel, is requiring all such care facilities to screen all visitors, including banning those showing symptoms of a respiratory infection.

Visitors will be banned if they've had contact with someone with a confirmed coronavirus diagnosis, are under investigation for a diagnosis or has been sick, along with anyone who has traveled internationally in the last 14 days or living in a community where coronavirus is spreading within the city or town.

The state is urging older adults and those with health issues to avoid large crowds and events.