Vidant Beaufort Hospital restricts visitation in response to anticipated community spread

Published 5:50 pm Monday, November 23, 2020

Vidant is taking steps to ensure the safety of all. Vidant remains vigilant with its screening process for all visitors, entry requirements and visitor restrictions by department.

In anticipation of increased community spread across the country and here in eastern North Carolina
throughout the holiday season, Vidant is proactively adjusting its visitation restrictions at Vidant Beaufort Hospital.

These new restrictions are effective 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at Vidant Beaufort Hospital.

With the changes in place one healthy adult visitor per patient, masked at all times, is allowed in each department. In the hospital inpatient departments and emergency department, the visitor must stay in the patient’s room unless they are visiting the cafe; for outpatient and surgical procedures that require sedation or anesthesia, the visitor may wait in a special waiting area.

There are two exceptions to visitor restrictions: Families of End-of-Life patients may visit two at a time with permission of the care team, and visitors will not be permitted to re-enter building once they have exited the building; and no in-person visits are allowed for COVID-19-positive patients.

As people plan their holiday season, Vidant encourages all community members to celebrate safely. Before you plan a traditional holiday gathering, consider setting up a virtual celebration with apps like
Zoom or Google Meet instead to ensure the safety of those you love.

If you do plan to attend an in-person gathering, consider setting it up outside. Additionally, be sure to
keep these holiday safety tips in mind: limit the number of people at gatherings, avoid out of town
travel and practice the three Ws: wear a mask, wash hands often, wait 6 feet apart from others.

For more information on Vidant’s visitor restrictions, please visit VidantHealth.com/Alerts.