Intermountain Healthcare changes visitor guidelines as COVID-19 case numbers decrease

Elle Cabrera, St. George Spectrum & Daily News
·1 min read

Intermountain Healthcare is loosening visitor regulations as COVID-19 cases fall across the state, a Friday press release said.

Non-COVID patients will now be able to have bedside visitors at the discretion of the care unit and at the request of the patient for regular medical and surgical units as well as labor and delivery, mother/baby and emergency units.

Overnight visitors will be allowed depending on the discretion of the care unit. However, mother/baby units will only permit siblings five years and older to visit.

“We’re proceeding with caution," said Dr. Eddie Stenehjem, Intermountain Healthcare infectious diseases physician. "Even in a period of lower COVID transmission, there is still risk of transmission of COVID to our vulnerable patients in our facilities. Visitors still need to follow some precautions to keep our patients safe.”

Marc Harrison, president and CEO of Intermountain Healthcare, speaks during a news conference Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, in Salt Lake City. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox cast doubt on the efficacy of mask-wearing as health leaders made some of their most impassioned pleas yet for state residents to mask up and get vaccinated. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Marc Harrison, president and CEO of Intermountain Healthcare, speaks during a news conference Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, in Salt Lake City. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox cast doubt on the efficacy of mask-wearing as health leaders made some of their most impassioned pleas yet for state residents to mask up and get vaccinated. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

COVID patients will still have regulations that include having only one visitor at a time and only two per day for adult patients. COVID patient visitors will still be required to wear protective gear provided by the local hospital, the press release said.

Masks will still be required in common areas such as lobbies and hallways.

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However, visitors of non-COVID patients can take the mask off in a patient's room if no caregivers are present, the release said.

Updated guidelines state that visitors may not enter Intermountain Healthcare facilities if they are experiencing symptoms or have been in contact with someone who has COVID, norovirus or a positive test for influenza.

Patients at Intermountain clinics and InstaCares do not have visitor regulations.

To learn more about Intermountain's guidelines visit the hospitals' websites.

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This article originally appeared on St. George Spectrum & Daily News: Intermountain Healthcare adjust visitor guidelines as COVID-19 cases drop