Dominican Hospital to limit visitors as illnesses circulate

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION) A spokesperson for Dignity Health announced that Dominican Hospital will be limiting visitors as coronavirus, flu and other flu-like illnesses circulate.

Communications Manager Claire Henry said that effective today, all visitors must be at least 16 years old, only one visitor per patient per day is allowed in the hospital and patients and visitors are only allowed to get into the hospital through the main entrance or Emergency Department.

Masks will also be required for everyone in the Emergency Department who has a fever, cough, sore throat, body aches or nasal congestion. Anyone who wants to visit a patient who has any of those symptoms is asked to visit another day when they have been free of symptoms for at least two days.

The goal of the measure is to reduce the spread of flu-like diseases. Henry reminds everyone to wash hands often, use hand sanitizer and avoid touching faces.

Henry said the restrictions will be lifted as soon as possible.