Hospital restricting visitors: COVID, flu to blame for stricter visiting policies

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A road sign at the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital directs people to their destinations at the Grass Valley Hospitals location. Hospital officials announced they would restrict visitors due to rising illnesses.Picture: Elias Funez

Those wishing to visit loved ones at Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital in the coming days may wish to check with hospital administration as protocol regarding visitors has changed with the influx of flu and COVID cases. .

According to the hospital’s administrative assistant, Laura Hawley, patients are referred by one visiting family member per day.

We’re very full of COVID and the flu, and that’s why, Hawley said. There are restricted visits without children (allowed).

Hawley added that any visitors should be symptom-free.

We have a lot of flu, she said, so yeah, we’re in the same mode we were last winter.

Exceptions, Hawley said, could be made for patients who may be reaching their final days.

Sierra Nevada Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tyler Hill released a statement clarifying hospital policies.

Currently, the visitor policy is specific to Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital. They evaluate the policy based on patient volumes and an evidence-based approach. For most of the county, we are seeing either a plateau or a decrease in influenza activity. However, with the holidays, another surge is expected in January.

Hill added: Both in Nevada (county) and California as a whole, activity remains elevated. On the California Department of Public Health website, 7.1% of outpatient visits are related to influenza-like illnesses. 3.3% of admissions are related to influenza.

Restrictions on hospital visits are expected to remain in place until after the New Year.

To contact Managing Editor Jennifer Nobles, email [email protected] or call 530-477-4232.

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