Community medical center bans visitors as covid-19 cases surge

TOMS RIVER, NJ – Community Medical Center in Toms River has announced new rules prohibiting visitors within the hospital again as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the community. The new rule prohibits visitors from inpatient, emergency room and same day surgery visits.

In the maternity ward, only one person is permitted with the expecting mother.

“Due to a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in our community, Community Medical Center has issued new visitor restrictions for the safety of our patients, visitors and staff,” the hospital said in a release.

Here are the new rules:

Inpatient Units

Visitors will not be allowed. Exceptions will be made for patients receiving compassionate end of life care, parents of minors and caregivers for those with special needs. Patients will be asked to provide contact information for a family member or friend who will receive updates on the patient’s care.

Maternity

One significant other/support person is permitted. Once in the labor and delivery unit, the designated support person must have extremely limited access to the other areas of the hospital and will not be permitted to leave and reenter the unit. In addition to a significant other/support person, a doula is also permitted throughout labor, delivery, and the entire postpartum hospital stay. The doula shall not count as the support person.

Emergency Department

Visitors will not be allowed. Upon arrival, patients seeking treatment in our Emergency Department will be asked to provide contact information for a family member or friend who will receive updates on the patient’s care.

Same Day Surgery, Testing & Procedure Patients

Visitors will not be allowed. Caregivers/support persons will be permitted in the hospital to escort the patient to their appointment or procedure area and leave immediately after. Exceptions will be made for parents of minors and caregivers for those with special needs. The caregiver/support person will receive a phone call to notify them when it is time to return and pick up the patient.

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