(Photo by Tyler Murphy)

NORWICH – In response to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in Chenango County and the Southern Tier, UHS Chenango Memorial is reinstating visitor restrictions at the hospital and all of its off-site locations.

“The safety of our patients, visitors and staff is always our top priority, and the intent of these precautions is to limit contact that may put people at unnecessary risk, while at the same time maintaining high-quality care and service,” said Dr. Drake Lamen, President and CEO at UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital.

“We are seeing cases rise in our community, and it is important that we act immediately to slow the spread of this virus as we enter cold and flu season.”

According to Lamen, no visitors will be allowed at the hospital, or its primary and specialty care offices. Limited exceptions exist around beginning-of-life, end-of-life and pediatric care, as well as instances where a companion is needed to assist with care.

“Given that we serve populations at high risk for COVID-19, we believe these measures are prudent at this time,” said Lamen.

The visitor restrictions being reinstated initially went into effect in early March. They were then dialed back in June and July as the threat of COVID stabilized. Now, according to Lamen, it is necessary to take additional precautionary measures due the resurgence of the virus in the region.

“We want to do everything we can to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus to our patients, staff and community at large,” He said. “While we don’t yet know how this wave of the virus will impact Chenango County, we have an excellent team, ready to care for our community through this crisis.”

In addition, all patients, staff, vendors and visitors will continue to be screened upon arrival at any UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital location.

For clarification of the visitor policy, contact UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital at (607) 337-4111. For more information on COVID-19 or to be evaluated online through the UHS Virtual Walk-in, visit www.nyuhs.org.

UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital is a member of United Health Services, a locally owned not-for-profit 916-bed hospital and health care system serving the Greater Binghamton region from more than 40 locations around New York’s Southern Tier.

- Submitted article