In a continued response to protect patients, visitors and healthcare providers from the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), central Georgia hospitals are enhancing their visitation policies.

Effective Wednesday, March 25, 2020 only one (1) essential visitor will be permitted at the following locations:

• Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital, Navicent Health

• The Medical Center, Navicent Health

• Medical Center of Peach County, Navicent Health

• Navicent Health Baldwin

• Rehabilitation Hospital, Navicent Health

• Monroe County Hospital, Navicent Health Partner

• Putnam General Hospital, Navicent Health Partner

• Coliseum Medical Centers

• Coliseum Northside Hospital

• Houston Medical Center

• Perry Hospital

While individual policies differ slightly based on services, the health systems agree that limited visitation is best for our community.

Navicent Health and Houston Healthcare Essential visitor is defined as those who are visiting/accompanying the following patients:

• Minor patients under the age of 18

• Patients at end of life/in hospice and/or palliative care

• Patients who need a healthcare decision maker or visitor to help with communication and/or mobility

• Patients in labor and delivery and/or family birth centers (including partner and birth coach)

• Patients in intensive care

Essential visitors must continue to adhere to the following guidelines;

• Patients in hospice, palliative, pediatric units and birth centers may have one (1) visitor overnight.

• Visitors under the age of 13 are not permitted, including for the birth of a sibling.

Coliseum Health System Essential visitor is defined as those who are visiting/accompanying the following patients:

• Minor patients under the age of 18 (one parent/guardian)

• Patients at end of life/in Hospice

• Patients who need a healthcare decision maker or visitor to help with communication and/or mobility

• Patients in labor and delivery and/or family birth centers (one labor partner)

• Pre/Post Surgery (one adult patient advocate)

Essential visitors must continue to adhere to the following guidelines;

• Patients in hospice, pediatric units and birth centers may have one (1) visitor overnight.

Visitors will not be permitted for confirmed COVID-19 patients and those persons being screened and awaiting results.

All facilities may be accessed through their main lobbies and/or emergency centers. Greeters at public entrances will continue to ask basic screening questions including temperature monitoring, guiding those seeking treatment to the appropriate location while assisting essential visitors as needed.

Individuals with cough, fever, shortness of breath or other flu-like symptoms will not be allowed to visit patients.

Leaders at each of these hospitals recognize that interacting with loved ones can be helpful to the healing process and strongly encourage everyone to utilize other forms of support for their loved ones, including phone calls and video chats on cell phones or other mobile devices. Patients have access to Wi-Fi to assist with mobile communication.

Local hospitals routinely make decisions to ensure the health and safety of patients, staff and visitors. These policies and actions are designed to safeguard the entire community. Navicent Health, Coliseum Health System, and Houston Healthcare appreciate the community’s cooperation and understanding during the efforts to mitigate the threat of COVID-19.