CHI Memorial Hospital officials announced they are limiting visitation and making operational changes as concerns over coronavirus grow.
In a press release issued late Friday, Memorial officials said they are “actively monitoring new developments related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Tennessee and Georgia, and across the United States.
“Since the beginning of the flu season, the hospitals have implemented seasonal restrictions, and those are still in place. In light of the COVID-19 situation, the hospitals are reinforcing those restrictions and taking additional precautionary steps.”
Those changes include:
* Cardiac rehabilitation phase 3 will be closed through March 27, 2020. There is no change to cardiac rehabilitation phase 2. Group classes will continue as usual.
* Visitors to our oncology unit (4 East) or intensive care units (ICU) are limited to only close family members and preferably one at a time.
* We ask that no school age children visit these units. We also request that visitors to all patients be limited to only necessary individuals.
* Visitors with fever, cough, sore throat or other flu-like symptoms are not permitted to visit any area of the hospital until the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided.
* People who have traveled to high-risk area for COVID-19 or had contact with a person known to be infected with COVID-19 are not permitted to visit any area of the hospital until the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided.
* Our pet therapy program has been suspended until further notice.
* Our church meal service is suspended until further notice.
* Our farmer’s market is suspended until further notice.
* Our visiting musician’s program is suspended until further notice.
* We are temporarily pausing our volunteer programs. Many volunteers at CHI Memorial are over age 60 and are particularly vulnerable should they be infected with COVID-19.
Parkridge Health System in Chattanooga has also outlined visitor restrictions on its website.
CHI Memorial is working with CommonSpirit Health and the health departments at the state and local levels, as well as with local governments on community response.
CHI Memorial advises patients to avoid emergency rooms unless symptoms are severe, such as high fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Patients should contact their regular health care provider by phone first if they are experiencing symptoms like cough, low-grade fever, or other respiratory issues.
CHI Memorial encourages everyone to use standard precautionary measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Wash your hands frequently; it’s one of the most important steps in avoiding COVID-19 and other illnesses, including the flu. And if you are sick, stay home. If you develop a fever and lower respiratory symptoms, such as a cough, talk with your physician or care provider.
For more information on how to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, visit memorial.org/coronavirus or cdc.gov/coronavirus.