Updated Visitor Policy for all Sentara Hospitals
Effective Monday, June 14, non-COVID patients inside Sentara hospitals and emergency rooms are allowed two visitors (up from one visitor) if the positivity rate in that region is below 5% for two consecutive weeks.
Based on current COVID-19 dashboard data from the Virginia Department of Health and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, all Sentara hospitals except for Sentara Albemarle Medical Center (SAMC) will allow two visitors. The positivity rate in Pasquotank County where SAMC is located is currently 6.7%.
The same exceptions to the visitor policy still apply. Those include:
- COVID-19 confirmed patients (who are not end-of-life patients) or patients awaiting COVID-19 test results continue to have no visitors, regardless of hospital location.
- End-of-life patients who have COVID-19 may have one visitor inside the room in full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Hospital staff will provide PPE for the visitor aside from the mask the visitor is required to wear when entering the hospital.
- End-of-life patients who have COVID-19 AND are undergoing any Aerosol Generating Procedure (for example, intubation, on a ventilator or on high flow oxygen), can have one visitor outside of the room.
The same Visitor Safety Guidelines still apply. Those include:
- Visitors age 12 and older are allowed at this time.
- Visitors will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms before entering the facility.
- Visitors are required to wear a mask and observe social distancing guidelines.
Sentara will reassess the Visitor Guidelines in late June/early July and will provide an update.