June 1, 2021

Community Hospital is allowing visitation for patients now that COVID-19 cases are lower and a significant percentage of the public has been vaccinated. Nearly a year has passed since Community Hospital restricted visitors due to the pandemic.

Visiting hours will be from 9 AM – 7 PM. Please note the front entrance doors will lock at 4:30 pm. Entrance into the facility after that must be done through the emergency department entrance on the north side of the hospital.

Some details apply:

• Clergy and patient support persons are not limited by the visiting hours.
• The cafeteria remains closed to patients and visitors at this time due to construction.
• Children under two years of age will be screened but do not have to wear a mask.
• Waiting rooms for all practical purposes are open.
• Visitors must adhere to current infection control practices of wearing masks and social distancing.
• Visitors will be screened upon entering.
• Visitors are required to wear masks inpatient rooms.
• COVID-positive patients are not allowed visitors.

Mask-Wearing Continues

Wearing a mask is still required in healthcare settings and at Community Hospital, according to CDC guidelines. The CDC relaxed mask-wearing and physically distancing for fully vaccinated people in many public places in mid-May, but still requires mask-wearing in hospitals. Visitors are asked to bring their own masks.

“On May 13, the CDC did relax mask-wearing in a number of situations,” said Sharon Conroy, Community Hospital Infection Preventionist. “This is great news as it means we may be reaching the end of the pandemic,” she added. She went on to explain that the CDC did stipulate some exclusions to the ruling, hospitals being included in the exclusions. “Mask wearing is still required in hospitals at this point. We continue to wear masks at Community Hospital to protect the many patients who cross our threshold. Many of those patients are sick or have underlying medical conditions that make them more susceptible to illness,” she said.