Coronavirus: Lakewood Hospital Tightens Visitor Policies

LAKEWOOD, NJ — As the coronavirus continues to spread, RWJ Barnabas Health System has tightened its visitor policies at it hospitals, including Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus.

The health system says starting immediately, all visitors will be screened for their international travel history; their contact with individuals with known coronavirus; and for cold or flu-like symptoms.

"If you have these symptoms, please contact your personal health care provider for further instruction and refrain from visiting," the notice on the system's website said.

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There were 15 cases of COVID-19 in New Jersey as of Tuesday, with no confirmed cases in Ocean County. One man, from Bergen County, has died. Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency on Monday evening to free up resources to deal with the spread of the illness. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

At Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus specifically, no visitors under age 18 are allowed, and no more than three visitors per patient are allowed. All visitors who have a cough or respiratory illness are encouraged to visit on another day for the safety of loved ones. If an immediate family member presents with a cough or respiratory illness must visit, they will be asked to wear a mask while in the hospital. Those rules have been in place for the duration of flu season.

The hospital system said that in addition to the screening measures, all visitors should wash their hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer before and after visiting.

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