Munson Healthcare has further reduced its operational response to the COVID-19 pandemic from Pandemic Level Orange to Yellow status effective Thursday, March 17. The move comes as infection rates decline in the community and lower numbers of COVID-19 patients are in health system hospitals.
The status allows the hospital to loosen visitation restrictions.
Munson Healthcare Chief Safety and Quality Officer Joe Santangelo, M.D., said the step down to Pandemic Level Yellow represents another welcome sign for the healthcare system and the community.
“Our move to Level Yellow more accurately reflects our current state of operations for the healthcare system,” he said. “While this is a positive and welcome change, we will continue to prioritize all pandemic-related work and the care of COVID-19 patients will remain a key focus.”
Under Pandemic Level Yellow:
- Effective Monday, March 21, the hospital will expand its Visitation Policy to allow two visitors at a time per inpatient.
- Patients visiting physician offices and health system clinics will be allowed one visitor for the duration of their clinic stay.
- Visitation exceptions continue for patients who require a support person, for pediatric and OB patients, and for patients at the end of life.
- Waiting rooms will reopen to visitors as long a social distancing and cleaning protocols can be maintained.
- Cafeterias will reopen to visitors for the purchase of food and seating as long as social distancing and cleaning protocols can be maintained.
- The health system’s universal masking policy remains in place and all visitors will be asked to wear a Munson Healthcare-issued mask.
“We are pleased to be able to loosen visitor restrictions starting on Monday. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 infection rates in our communities and adjust our policies as needed,” Santangelo said. “Everyone can help the health system and the community by getting tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms and isolating as appropriate. Vaccines remain the best option for preventing serious illness and hospital stays due to COVID-19, and we encourage everyone to remain up-to-date on their vaccine status.”
For more information on the visitation policy and the health system’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, go to munsonhealthcare.org and click on the banner at the top of the page.