Yale health system restricts visitors due to rising COVID cases

PHOTO | File image Yale New Haven Hospital.

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By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

The Yale New Haven Health system announced Wednesday it is limiting visitor access to patients at its hospitals and outpatient facilities, citing concerns about increasing community spread of COVID-19.

According to Gov. Ned Lamont’s office, the number of patients hospitalized statewide with COVID-19 had jumped Wednesday to 1,113, up by 150 from Tuesday.

The health system’s hospitals include Yale New Haven Hospital, Bridgeport Hospital, Greenwich Hospital, Lawrence + Memorial in New London, and Westerly Hospital in Rhode Island.

The policy change takes effect as of Thursday, Dec. 30.

According to system leaders, while in-person visits “provide support and reassurance” to patients, the move is to ensure safety.

There will be no visitation to hospitalized patients, though exceptions may be made at a patient’s clinical team’s discretion. The new policy covers visitation to inpatients, emergency departments, outpatient surgeries and procedural areas.

Those undergoing procedures or operations must meet their loved ones outside to be picked up, according to the announcement.

In obstetrics, one person will be allowed to visit. For pediatric patients, only one guardian may visit at a time. Two people may visit dying patients.

Dr. Thomas Balcezak, chief clinical officer, Yale New Haven Health, said the system is trying to minimize risk.

“The health and safety of our patients, families and staff members is our top priority,” Balcezak said. “This visitation restriction will balance preventing the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 with the needs of our patients and their loved ones.”

Lamont recently announced the planned distribution of three million at-home rapid COVID-19 tests and six million N95 face masks in an effort to slow the virus’ spread.

On Wednesday, Lamont said there had been shipping and warehouse-related delays, so the state hadn’t yet received the at-home rapid tests.

Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.