ATLANTA - In light of local cases of COVID-19 and national and international instances of community spread of the disease, Emory Healthcare hospitals and clinics are taking measures to minimize visitor traffic and potential exposure in our hospitals and outpatient settings, to protect our patients and staff.

• Effective immediately, visitation is being temporarily restricted at Emory Healthcare hospitals and clinics. Temporary visitation restrictions are as follows:
• Patients arriving at the emergency departments will be limited to one accompanying adult (age 16 and older).
• Outpatients will be limited to one accompanying adult (age 16 and older) in clinics.
• Inpatients will be limited to one adult visitor (age 16 and older).
• Other high-risk areas of the hospital, including special care nurseries, labor and delivery and various oncology units, will have limited visitors.
• No visitors will be allowed for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis at this time.

“We understand the importance of patients, family members and loved ones being together during illness or hospitalization, but we must balance that with our responsibility to keep our patients, staff and community members safe,” says Jonathan S. Lewin, MD, president, CEO and chairman of the board of Emory Healthcare. “While we adhere to the most stringent protocols to ensure infection prevention, and as we see more positive COVID-19 cases in Georgia, we are temporarily limiting the number of visitors in our facilities.”

Care teams will make exceptions in specific circumstances, such as end-of-life care or a patient in need of a medical guardian/decision-maker. Patients and families should discuss any special requirements with their care team.

Simple precautions remain the first line of defense against respiratory viruses. Emory Healthcare urges the public to please continue to follow these guidelines:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if you’re unable to wash your hands
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Cover your cough or sneeze into your elbow
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that are touched frequently (e.g., phones, doorknobs, keyboards)
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Help to flatten the curve by social distancing, including avoiding crowds.

Emory Healthcare is committed to continually monitoring and evaluating the COVID-19 situation, and will continue to act in the best interest of our patients and employees. We thank our patients and their loved ones for their understanding as we work to ensure a safe environment for our patients and our workforce.