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UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge eases visitor restrictions

COVID-19 hospitalizations are decreasing throughout the state, while community spread of the virus in Webster County is also dropping, according to data from the state’s coronavirus website.

With those trends in mind, UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge is changing its visitor restriction policy, the hospital announced on Tuesday.

Effective today, UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge will begin to lift some visitor restrictions throughout care areas and for some services.

“As we see a decrease in COVID-19 cases and community spread of less than 13 percent, we are committed to increasing visitation for our patients and their family,” said Leah Glasgo, president and CEO of UnityPoint Health – Fort Dodge.

The updated visitor guidelines are as follows:

Inpatient

• Patients are allowed two visitors at a time between the hours of 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.

• Visitors will be screened at least once a day upon entry and masks must be worn by visitors at all times.

• Visitors must go directly to a patient room unless stopping in the cafeteria or gift shop.

• No waiting in waiting rooms will be permitted.

• Patients who are end-of-life will have visitors at the discretion of patient’s health care team.

• Please note that only approved visitation will be allowed for patients with a pending or positive COVID-19 test.

• Children under the age of 18 will not be allowed except under extraordinary circumstances.

Outpatient

• Outpatient departments will continue with one support person unless otherwise indicated. More detail can be found at unitypoint.org.

• Clinics will continue with one support person per patient. Pediatric patients may have two support people. Patients will be allowed in the clinics for paperwork or questions, but will be screened as a visitor if they do not have an appointment.

All visitors and support people must be free of illness (e.g. fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea or vomiting.); as well as have had no contact with someone who may have COVID-19 in the past 14 days. They will be required to sign in, be screened, wear a visitor identification sticker, as well as wear a mask. In addition, they must be 18 years or older.

In addition, waiting rooms and public spaces are marked for social distancing and have been arranged to allow for spacing of at least six feet. Visitors are asked to frequently wash their hands or use hand sanitizer available throughout the facilities. Masks are also available upon request if a visitor or patient does not have their own.

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