Ascension Wisconsin is implementing temporary visitor restrictions in both inpatient and outpatient settings to minimize disease transmission, specifically the COVID-19 virus.
Ascension spokesperson Tom Weaver says the restrictions are similar to times of heavy influenza numbers....
"We're restricting visitors who have flu-like symptoms, which includes cough, fever or shortness of breath, running nose or nasal congestion or a sore throat. We're limiting visitors to two to any given patient at one time. Visitation by children under 14 will be at the discretion of patients and clinicians involved in their care. In accordance with the guidelines from the Centers For Disease Control, we are restricting visitors who have come from a country within the past 14 days that the CDC has designated as a Level 3 or Level 2 for the coronavirus... "
Weaver says Ascension officials are asking the public to be vigilant...
"If they think they're symptomatic or they have signs or symptoms is to call ahead either the emergency room, doctor's office, urgent care, whatever it may be so that folks can talk through the possibilities with you and more importantly be prepared if you think you need to come in..."
Weaver says you can also use their telemedicine system as another option. He says the situation has another facet that they're also trying to protect the people who are providing the care from getting sick.
He says the visitor protocols will remain in place until further notice.
