Hospitals Closed to Visitors Due to Spread of COVID in RI

Hospitals Closed to Visitors Due to Spread of COVID in RI

Lifespan and CharterCARE announced Monday that visitation is temporarily suspended at their hospitals due to coronavirus spread in Rhode Island. 

On Monday, the Rhode Island Department of Health announced a percent positive of 5.1% on 232 cases on just 4,560 tests on Sunday. 

Dr. Michael Fine, the former Rhode Island Director of Health, will be LIVE on GoLocal on Facebook at 12:30 to discuss the latest coronavirus developments. 

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Lifespan Announcement 

Lifespan posted the following on Monday:

"In accordance with Rhode Island Department of Health guidelines and in effort to keep our patients and community safe, all visitation is temporarily suspended at Lifespan hospitals. Please alert your family members and loved ones to this change. Special circumstances can be discussed with your care team. 

* No visitors will be allowed in units at our Lifespan hospitals.
* Hasbro Children’s Hospital will allow for accompaniment by one parent at a time. Please read these guidelines before visiting Hasbro Children's Hospital.
* Newport Hospital maternity services will allow for a birthing partner only. 
* Patients arriving at the emergency department will be limited to one accompanying adult, and that person’s duration of stay in patient areas will be minimized.

All visitors will be screened for symptoms or potential exposure to COVID-19. Those who screen positive for any symptoms will not be able to visit. All visitors will be required to wear a mask. 

'We have decided after great deliberation to take this step in these highly unusual circumstances to protect our patients and our workforce. We understand  this is a great hardship to both patients and families, but we know that older and sicker people are most vulnerable to this novel coronavirus, and after careful evaluation of the evolving risks of transmission, we felt it was the most prudent thing to do,' said Timothy J. Babineau, M.D., president and CEO of Lifespan."

CharterCARE Announcement

CharterCARE announced the following on Monday.

"In accordance with Rhode Island Department of Health guidelines and in effort to keep our patients and community safe, effective immediately we are temporarily suspending all visitations at CharterCARE’s hospitals, Our Lady of Fatima Hospital and Roger Williams Medical Center.

'This is a difficult decision given the importance family members can play in a patient’s recovery but in light of the recent spike in COVID cases, this step makes the most sense to keep our patients and employees safe and protected,' said Jeffrey Liebman, CharterCARE CEO.

Please alert family and loved ones to this change. All hospital services, including surgeries, continue to be available and on schedule. Our hospitals remain safe and have always had isolated units for COVID patients in the emergency department, patient floors and in the operating rooms.

CharterCARE continues to encourage hand washing/hygiene, wearing face masks and social distancing as the best precautions against COVID. If you have any of the typical symptoms you are encouraged to stay at home and contact your physician."