AtlantiCare Restricts Visitors Due To Local Coronavirus Uptick

GALLOWAY, NJ — AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center enhanced its visitor restrictions Thursday for its emergency departments. The hospital network reported an increase in local coronavirus cases and patients reporting flu-like symptoms to the emergency departments.

"It is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of our patients and staff," said Jim Kilmer, the vice president and chief administrative officer of the Atlantic City campus.

The restrictions affect the emergency departments in Galloway, Atlantic City and Hammonton. AtlantiCare will continue monitoring the situation with the New Jersey Department of Health and their infection prevention team.

Read AtlantiCare's visitor restrictions here.

AtlantiCare did not present numbers on how many coronavirus inpatients or patients presenting flu-like symptoms they currently have. But they are seeing an uptick in community spread. AtlantiCare spokesperson Jennifer Tornetta told Patch the following:

"As flu season continues, to protect our patients, their families and our staff and community, we have updated our visitor policy. At this time, we are not allowing visitors into our Emergency departments unless the patient is a minor (under the age of 18), has a disability (as described above) or has other significant, care related circumstances. We remind all members of our community to call your healthcare provider first before visiting a doctor’s office, urgent care, or emergency department for symptoms of cold, flu, COVID-19 and other infectious illnesses. If you are having difficulty breathing or are having a life-threatening emergency, dial 911.”

Shore Medical Center in Somers Point re-instituted a "no visitor" policy earlier this week because of an uptick in cases in the hospital's community and South Jersey.

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State officials have reported 4,566 cases, 252 confirmed coronavirus deaths and 11 probable deaths in Atlantic County since the pandemic began. County officials last reported a coronavirus death Oct. 7 — the county's first since Sept. 20.

The county said Oct. 7 that 2,964 coronavirus patients have recovered.

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