Cedar Rapids hospitals limiting number of patient visitors

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Mercy Medical Center and UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital will limit patient visitations to minimize potential patient exposure to seasonal influenza and other respiratory viruses.

No cases of COVID-19, more commonly known as the coronavirus, have been reported in Iowa.

Starting today, the following precautions will take effect until further notice:

• Visitors at both hospitals are limited to two adults per patient room at any time unless there is a special circumstance. Adults are classified as individuals 18 years of age or older and must be in good health. Special circumstances apply to end-of-life or critically ill patients. Children are not allowed to visit at this time.
• Visitors to Labor & Delivery and Pediatrics floors are limited to parents and two adults in good health. In addition, healthy siblings under 18 years of age are allowed.
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) visitors are limited to parents and two adults in good health. Children are not allowed to visit at this time.

According to a press release, these precautionary measures are being taken to provide optimal safety for patients as flu cases are on the rise.

Visitors are advised to wash their hands before and after visiting a patient and should cough or sneeze into a tissue or shirtsleeve.