In order to protect patients, their families, and healthcare workers from the spread of COVID-19, Columbus Regional Healthcare System is implementing additional temporary visitor restrictions. Effective Sunday, March 22, 2020, patient visitors will be permitted only in the following limited circumstances:
In these limited circumstances, visitors must be an immediate family member who is 18 or older and has no fever, cough, or shortness of breath. Visitation hours are limited to 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Columbus Regional recognizes that interactions with family and friends can be a helpful part of the healing process. Patients and families are strongly encouraged to utilize other forms of support for their loved ones in the hospital, such as phone calls and video chat.
This is a rapidly evolving situation and Columbus Regional Healthcare System continues to monitor and respond to COVID-19. The safety of our patients, teammates, and our community is the top priority. This temporary restriction on visitors follows local, state, and national guidelines and best practices to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
As Columbus Regional continues to prepare for the possibility of COVID-19 in our community, the emergency room has developed a higher level of medical screening and triage for patients requiring emergency care. The white tent outside of the emergency department IS NOT A COVID-19 TESTING SITE. Should it be needed, it will be used to create more space for the current emergency department and emergency department services.
These changes may be difficult or inconvenient for the patient and their loved ones. However, these changes are to ensure we are doing everything we can as a system to keep our patients, their families, our teammates, and our community safe and to limit the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses.
This is a rapidly developing situation, and Columbus Regional will continue to respond accordingly. Please continue monitoring our website at http://www.crhealthcare.org/coronavirus-disease-2019- covid-19/ and our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CRHealthcare for the most recent updates.
News Release March 21, 2020
Columbus Regional Healthcare System
500 Jefferson St.
Whiteville, NC 28472
Contact: Mallory Freeman
Vice President, Ambulatory and Outreach Services
910-641-8620
