Due to the dramatic increase in COVID-19 positive cases, effective Monday, December 14, Habersham Medical Center will limit all patient visitations.
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, as of December 9th, the daily average of new COVID 19 cases in Habersham numbered 71 cases per 100,000 residents. In comparison, the daily average in Georgia was 47 cases per 100,000 and in the United States, it was 64 cases per 100,000.
“While there is hope on the horizon that a vaccine will be approved and distributed soon, we do not have a vaccine in hand today,” says Habersham Medical Center CEO Tyler Williams. “What we do have on our hands is a drastic escalation of COVID-19 positive cases in our community and in our hospital admission rates.”
To help mitigate potential transmission of the virus, HMC is reinstating a modified version of its visitation policy that was put in place at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
Beginning Monday, newly admitted Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients and those admitted onto the Medical Surgical floor will be allowed one support person during the initial admission process. Patients entering the hospital’s Emergency Department will be allowed one support person as needed during their visit.
HMC’s long-term care and skilled nursing facility, Habersham Home, will continue to maintain its No Visitor’s policy.
The hospital says the policy will remain in place until further notice.
“While hospital administration understands the importance of having in-person support of loved ones for long term care residents and for patients during a hospital stay, the health and safety of our patients and our front line caregivers during this unprecedented pandemic are of the utmost importance,” says hospital spokesperson Kesha Clinkscale.
HMC encourages friends and family to stay in touch with their loved ones who are hospitalized or in long-term care facilities through phone calls, video chats, and/or texting.
