Colorado hospitals announce new visitor restrictions for facilities

Bethany Osborn, Fort Collins Coloradoan
·3 min read

Respiratory viruses are on the rise across Colorado as the holiday season approaches. As a result, officials from UCHealth and Banner Health announced new restrictions for hospital and clinic visitors to help protect patients, other visitors and hospital staff.

With increased cases of COVID-19, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which mimics cold and flu symptoms and is more common in kids, happening at the same time, the health care systems both announced in separate press releases Monday they would add new restrictions to its visitation policies for clinics and hospitals.

For UCHealth this includes Poudre Valley Hospital, Medical Center of the Rockies and UCHealth's Greeley Hospital in Northern Colorado and for Banner Health, the Fort Collins Medical Center, North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley and McKee Medical Center in Loveland.

Here's what you need to know if you're planning to visit a UCHealth facility

  • All visitors are still required to wear a mask.

  • Patients are only allowed to have two visitors at one time, but are not limited to how many visitors they can have in one day.

  • Visiting hours are from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

  • Visitors younger than 12 are prohibited from all intensive care units, transplant locations, oncology inpatient floors and pediatric units including neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and special care nurseries.

  • Patients with infectious diseases, including COVID-19, are allowed one visitor or support person at a time for two hours, one time per day. Visitors must wear full personal protective equipment.

UCHealth's Poudre Valley Hospital is shown in Fort Collins, Colo. on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.
UCHealth's Poudre Valley Hospital is shown in Fort Collins, Colo. on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

Down with the sickness:Respiratory virus soars in Northern Colorado, upping clinic wait times

Banner Health restrictions are slightly different

  • Visitors will be restricted if they have a fever, cough, vomiting or diarrhea.

  • All visitors over the age of 2 are required to wear a mask over their nose and mouth for the duration of their visit.

  • Visitors under the age of 13 will be restricted. Siblings who do not have cold and flu symptoms may visit a new baby on the obstetrics unit or pediatric unit. That child may be screened for illness by staff before being allowed to visit.

  • Children, including siblings, will not be allowed to visit the NICU.

  • Children 12 and under must be supervised by an adult at all times in public waiting areas and cafeterias.

  • Visitors are highly encouraged to wash or sanitize hands frequently while at the hospital to prevent getting the flu or potentially spreading any illness.

What you can do to stay healthy over the holidays

Larimer County health officials hosted a virtual community update at noon Tuesday saying while COVID-19 and flu cases are on the rise in the county, they have not yet overwhelmed the hospital system. Officials offered tips on how people can avoid getting sick.

  • Get a flu shot this year and the bivalent booster for COVID-19 if you haven't already.

  • Avoid large gatherings if you feel sick and stay home.

  • Wear a mask in crowded indoor settings.

  • Wash your hands frequently.

  • Test for COVID-19 if you feel sick. Larimer County residents can pick up two free COVID-19 home testing kits at the county health department.

  • Seek emergency medical care immediately if you or your child can’t breathe or you are experiencing any other kind of medical emergency.

  • Stay up-to-date on all vaccines and medications, especially related to chronic illnesses and maintain healthy lifestyle practices like eating nutritious foods and exercising.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado hospitals announce new visitor restrictions for facilities