Avera Health is closing all its hospitals to visitors in response to the spreading COVID-19 virus. Avera Queen of Peace CEO Tom Clark says it shouldn’t impact the Mitchell hospital greatly. “We had already gone to limiting to one visitor only, per patient,” said Clark. “The new policy really is we are just going to no visitors except for special exceptions.”
Those include end-of-life, a birth coach for delivering mothers and those types of needs. “This is basically the policy Avera Brady and long-term care has had in place for over a week,” Clark said.
The new restrictions become effective at 5 pm Tuesday
Avera clinics are also asking patients to avoid bringing friends or guests to appointments except if the patient is a minor.