Dominican Hospital to Limit Visitors

Limitation put in place as a protective measure against COVID-19, seasonal flu, and other flulike illnesses

SANTA CRUZ, CA (March 5, 2020) – Due to significant flu-like activity in Santa Cruz County and concerns about preventing COVID-19, Dignity Health Dominican Hospital has implemented the following visitor restrictions.

Effective Thursday, March 5, 2020:

• All visitors must be 16 years of age or older.
• Only one visitor per patient per day is allowed in the hospital.
• Patients and visitors may only enter through the hospital main entrance or the Emergency Department. All other entrances are currently employee-access only.

Additionally, masks are required at all times for Emergency Department patients experiencing fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and/or nasal congestion. If you would like to visit someone in the hospital but you are experiencing fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and/or nasal congestion, please visit on another day when you have been symptom free for at least 48 hours.

By limiting the number of people in the hospital setting, Dominican is following Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for reducing the spread of flu-like illnesses. Hand washing is the best defense against any flu-like illness. Remember to wash your hands frequently, use hand sanitizer, and avoid touching your face.

The restricted visitor policy will be lifted as soon as possible. Hospital officials urge people of all ages with flu-like symptoms to stay home and consult first with their primary care physician. For information on the differences between COVID-19 and flu, please visit https://dignityhlth.org/COVID-19vsFlu.

For the latest information on COVID-19 or flu, please visit http://SantaCruzHealth.org/COVID and http://SantaCruzHealth.org/Flu.

About Dominican Hospital
Dignity Health Dominican Hospital has been caring for the Santa Cruz County community for generations. Dominican offers emergency services and is a Certified Stroke Center. Dominican’s services include the only comprehensive Cancer Center in Santa Cruz County, a Total Joint Replacement program, advanced neurological and endoscopic services, and an expert heart and vascular team treating some of the most complex cardiac cases in the Monterey Bay area. Dominican Hospital offers a comprehensive, Baby Friendly-designated Birth Center, and provides an on-site Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) through a partnership with Stanford Children’s Health. Dominican has received national recognition for superior patient safety, cardiac care, and stroke treatment from Healthgrades, a leading provider of comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals. Dominican also has received several awards for environmental excellence. Dominican Hospital is planning a $360 million renovation and expansion to ensure that the growing Santa Cruz County community can access world class health care well into the future. The project will allow for advanced technology, new state-of-theart facilities, and even more innovative healing spaces. To learn more about Dominican Hospital, please visit dignityhealth.org/dominican.

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