St. Joseph’s Medical Center Implements New Visitor Guidelines During Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak

STOCKTON, March 14, 2020 - St. Joseph’s Medical Center is actively monitoring new developments related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) including the recent declaration of a State of Emergency in San Joaquin County. As the situation evolves, St. Joseph’s is implementing new visitor guidelines to ensure the safety of our visitors, patients, and employees.

Effective March 13, 2020 the following visitor guidelines have been enacted at St. Joseph’s

• If you are feeling sick (sniffles, cough, and sneezing) please return home, unless seeking care.
• Please leave children under the age of 16 at home, unless seeking care for them.
• Doors will open at 5:00am for patients only with scheduled procedures.
• Approved visitors will be allowed to enter the hospital from 9:00am-9:00pm daily.
• Grandparents and siblings are restricted from visiting patients.
• A significant other/coach will be allowed visitation to our Family Birth Center.
• Visitors who may be experiencing fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and/or nasal congestion, will be asked to visit on another day when you have been symptom free for at least 48 hours.

Dignity Health advises patients to utilize emergency rooms when symptoms are severe, such as high fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Patients should contact their regular health care provider by phone first if they are experiencing symptoms like cough, low-grade fever or other respiratory issues.

Standard precautionary measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 include: washing your hands frequently, if you’re sick, stay home, if you develop a fever and lower respiratory symptoms such as a cough, talk with your physician or care provider.

For the latest local information on COVID-19 or flu, please visit our website: https://www.dignityhealth.org/central-california/locations/stjosephs-stockton/about-us/coronavirus-disease-2019.

About St. Joseph’s Medical Center
St. Joseph's Medical Center is a not-for-profit, fully accredited, regional hospital with 355 beds, a physician staff of over 700, and more than 2,700 employees. Specializing in cardiovascular care, comprehensive cancer services, and women and children's services, St. Joseph's is committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality, affordable health care services with special attention to the poor and under-served. As a Sponsoring Institution for Graduate Medical Education, St. Joseph’s supports rapidly growing educational programs for both resident physicians and medical students. In addition to being nationally recognized as a quality leader, St. Joseph's is consistently chosen as the "most preferred hospital" by local consumers. St. Joseph's is the largest hospital, as well as one of the largest private employers in San Joaquin County. Founded in 1899 by Fr. William O'Connor and administered by the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, St. Joseph's continues to lead the region in medical innovation. St. Joseph's Medical Center is a member of Dignity Health, a system of ancillary care sites, medical foundations, and acute care hospitals serving California, Arizona and Nevada.