Jacksonville: Hospitals perfecting plans, changing policies as coronavirus cases surge

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As the number of cases of coronavirus surge across the country, some local hospitals are changing procedures to battle the potentially deadly disease.

Memorial Hospital said it’s limiting the number of entrances people can use, so they can screen patients and visitors. The hospital said this is out of an abundance of caution.

UF Health said it has implemented travel screenings for patients coming in with respiratory symptoms, who have recently visited CDC advisory countries. The hospital also said it’s not restricting visitors at this time.

Mayo Clinic said those with symptoms of COVID-19 should call their health care provider or hospital, and ask how best to be evaluated.

People should not go to their health care provider or hospital without calling first to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. Mayo Clinic said it’s prepared to care for patients with COVID-19, and that there are plans for patient care and protecting staff.

Wolfson Children’s Hospital said it puts certain visitation restrictions into place every year during infectious disease (flu) season. The hospital recently modified those restrictions slightly to protect patients and visitors from exposure to any illness, including COVID-19.

The following visitation restrictions are currently in place throughout the Baptist Health system, including Wolfson Children’s:

• Visitors must be at least 12 years of age
• Up to two visitors per patient at a time
• People with cold- or flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough or shortness of breath, should not visit patients at the hospital

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