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Essentia Health reinstates visitor restrictions

Health officials maintain that robust coronavirus mitigation measures are one of the easiest ways to slow the spread of COVID-19, including the more contagious delta strain. Essentia Health is limiting the number of visitors to its facilities for safety reasons.

Essentia Health St. Joseph's Medical Center Exterior Dusk2.jpg
Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center Wednesday, Nov. 18, in Brainerd. Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch

Essentia Health is reinstating visitor restrictions at all of its hospitals due to increased transmission of COVID-19.

In most cases, two adult visitors will be allowed per patient, per day. Visitation is limited to the same two people in a single day. Visitors are asked to remain in the room of the patient they are visiting.

RELATED: ‘I hope you’re alive on Tuesday’: Brainerd ICU doc shares experiences with treating COVID-19 patients Friday afternoon, Davis said five of the 10 ICU beds at the Brainerd hospital were occupied by people suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by COVID-19, one of whom was approximately 30 days into their stay. None were vaccinated.
Patients with known or suspected COVID-19 are not allowed visitors unless they are pediatric or OB-GYN patients, or patients in an end-of-life situation. A person who has been determined to be essential to the care and safety of a patient will also be allowed visitation.

General visitation hours in the hospital are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. When visitors are care partners or are visiting in emergency departments, pediatric inpatient units and neonatal intensive care units, visitation is allowed 24/7.

RELATED: With no end in sight, how Minnesota’s current COVID wave differs from previous three

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There are exceptions to this policy for several situations. To view the health care provider’s complete visitor policy, visit bit.ly/3lJQUqW .

Essentia continues to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state health department guidelines by requiring continuous masking within its facilities and by screening patients and visitors.

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