Rochester Regional, URMC re-implementing visitor restrictions amid COVID-19 surge

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — As COVID-19 cases continue to climb, area hospitals are announcing visitor restrictions again.

UR Medicine announced that beginning Wednesday morning, Strong Memorial Hospital and Highland Hospital will no longer allow adult COVID-19 positive patients to see visitors. Non-COVID patients may have a total of two designated visitors, but only one visitor per day. URMC is suggesting visitors check individual hospitals’ websites for exceptions.

Rochester Regional Health is re-implementing a stricter visitation policy starting at 9 a.m., citing increased COVID-19 cases amid the spread of the delta variant.

COVID-19 positive patients, emergency department patients and cancer infusion patients will not be allowed to have visitors unless the patient is a pediatric patient, a labor and delivery patient, or has an intellectual and/or developmental disability, including cognitive impairments such as dementia, and end-of-life patients.

COVID-negative patients can have one visitor who is 12 or older at a time at the bedside. They can see different people throughout the day, as long as no more than one visitor is there at a time.

Labor and delivery patients are allowed one support person at all times, in addition to a visitor.

Pediatrics patients are allowed two support people and one visitor if they’re COVID-negative, and one support person and one visitor if they’re COVID positive. If the pediatrics patient is in the emergency department, they’re allowed one visitor.

Patients undergoing ambulatory procedures or surgeries are allowed one visitor at a time.

Patients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and cognitive impairments including dementia are allowed one support person and an additional visitor.

Behavioral Health inpatients are allowed two visitors during site-specific hours.

End-of-life patients will be allowed up to two visitors at their bedside at a time and one support person in addition to those two support people. Clergy are not considered visitors. Social distancing must be maintained. If the end-of-life patient is COVID-19 positive, everyone must wear proper personal protective equipment.

The changes apply to the following hospitals:

• Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic
• Newark-Wayne Community Hospital
• Rochester General Hospital
• Unity Hospital
• United Memorial Medical Center
• Rochester Ambulatory Surgery Center
• Linden Oaks Ambulatory Surgery Center
• Westfall Ambulatory Surgery Center

Hospitals’ visitation hours are below:

• Rochester General Hospital: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Unity Hospital: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Newark-Wayne Community Hospital: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• United Memorial Medical Center: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Behavioral Health Facilities – call specific site for hours