FAYETTEVILLE – March 12, 2020 – Cape Fear Valley Health is implementing additional visitor restrictions to all our locations to protect some of our most vulnerable patients from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, commonly known as Coronavirus.
Effective Friday, March 13, the following restrictions will be in place:
- No visitors are allowed in the Long Term Acute Care (LTAC) at Highsmith-Rainey Specialty Hospital, located at 150 Robeson Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301.
- Also at Highsmith-Rainey Specialty Hospital: one visitor may accompany a patient to outpatient areas, such as ExpressCare, diagnostic testing or surgery, after successfully passing a respiratory screening to check for cough, congestion, sore throat, fever, or shortness of breath.
- For all other Cape Fear Valley Health locations only one visitor is allowed per patient with the following exceptions:
- Pediatrics/PICU: two visitors allowed
- Nursing staff and infection prevention will work on a case by case basis with families who have special circumstances, such as a critically ill or end-of-life family member.
- The entrance at the Cape Fear Valley Cancer Treatment and CyberKnife Center is only to be used for Cancer Center patients, visitors, and staff. No other patients, visitors, or Cape Fear Valley Health staff are to use that entrance for access to the rest of the medical center.
Cape Fear Valley Health would also like to remind the public of these steps to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses including COVID-19:
Patients and visitors are urged to use alcohol-based hand sanitizer or thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds to prevent the spread of germs and disease. Please ask a staff member for assistance with proper handwashing hygiene or learn more here: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/
Individuals who are experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath should call ahead before visiting their doctor, emergency department, or urgent care. These individuals should make a point to thoroughly describe both their symptoms and their recent travel history.
The North Carolina Division of Public Health has established a call line at 1-866-462-3821 to address general questions about SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Cape Fear Valley Health will continue to monitor and follow state and national advisories on this topic.