North Olympic Peninsula hospitals are taking steps to limit possible exposure to those who are ill in light of rapid spread of the COVID-19 worldwide.
Clallam County has no confirmed cases of the unique coronavirus. Jefferson County has confirmed two cases in residents, both of which were exposed outside of the county.
One has recovered and the other is being treated in Seattle.
Measures taken at Jefferson Healthcare in Jefferson County and Olympic Medical Center and Forks Community Hospital in Clallam County are precautionary.
Jefferson Healthcare has restricted visits to one visitor per day per patient.
All other discretionary visits to the hospital are suspended.
The cafeteria use is for Jefferson Healthcare staff only during this time.
All support groups, Wellness Center classes and Exercise for Health classes will be postponed until further notice.
Anyone entering the hospital must present at the main central registration, waterside entrance, express clinic or emergency department, sign in, and receive a visitor badge before going to patient rooms.
Olympic Medical Center will allow two visitors in the room with a patient unless that patent has droplet precautions, in which case only one will be permitted.
No visitors will be allowed in airborne isolation rooms, although some exceptions may be made in end-of-life situations.
General areas of the hospital remain open to visitors.
Forks Community Hospital has suspended patient visits to its Long Term Care facility.
Anyone under the age of 18 can’t go to the hospital or any clinic unless it is for treatment.
The Spoons Cafe has stopped service to the public.
All hospitals ask that those with upper respiratory symptoms including fever, sore throat, or cough postpone visits until they are healthy.
Any who have been exposed to COVID-19 are asked to wait 14 days after exposure before visiting.
Some exceptions apply. Please see hospital websites for more information.
