Coronavirus: Southwest General Hospital Changes Visitation Policy

MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OH — Southwest General Hospital is installing more restricted visitor guidelines during this outbreak of the new coronavirus, COVID-19. All visitors will now be screened before entering the hospital and could be denied access if they have a fever.

The hospital is also denying access to anyone younger than 18. Outpatient visitors may only be accompanied by one person. Mothers who give birth will only be allowed two adult visitors during their hospital stay, and no sibling visitation will be permitted, the hospital announced.

There will be no new restrictions for patients in hospice care.

As of Wednesday morning, Ohio had 88 confirmed cases of COVID-19 the Ohio Department of Health announced. Twenty-six people are currently hospitalized with the virus. The youngest infected person is 2 and the oldest infected person is 91.

Ohio will see a surge of COVID-19 cases, according to Dr. Amy Acton, director of the state health department. Officials are now trying to secure protective equipment for medical professionals and hospital beds for the sick.