Morristown Medical Center Suspends Visits Amid Coronavirus Spread

MORRISTOWN, NJ - As the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, continues to spread across New Jersey, the Atlantic Health network has suspended visitation until further notice at all of its hospitals and health care facilities, including the Morristown Medical Center.

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

There are some limited exceptions to the policy, and no one younger than 18 will be permitted to visit, hospital officials said.

"There is no greater priority than the health and safety of our patients, team members and the communities we serve. COVID-19 is a novel virus that poses an unprecedented threat to our patients, especially those who are elderly, have underlying medical conditions, or have compromised immune systems," officials said in a statement. "As coronavirus concerns escalate quickly, Atlantic Health System will expand its visitor restrictions effective Monday."

No hospital visitors will be allowed until further notice with these limited exceptions:

• Patients in hospice or end-of-life care
• One visitor/ support person for emergency department patients
• One visitor/support person for maternity patients
• One visitor/support person for pediatric patients
• One visitor/support person for critical care
• One visitor/support person for an individual undergoing surgery or an outpatient procedure
• One visitor/support person for infusion center patients

Visitors who meet these exceptions must be at least 18 years of age.

This policy is in effect for Morristown, Overlook, Newton, Chilton and Hackettstown medical centers and Goryeb Children’s Hospital. For all other sites of care, including physician offices, infusion centers, urgent care and any outpatient setting, there is a limit to one visitor per patient.

Here's what else you should know:

• Gov. Phil Murphy announced that he planned to shut down all schools on Wednesday, March 18. Read more: NJ Schools Will Close Due To Coronavirus Outbreak: Gov. Murphy
• Murphy also imposed new statewide restrictions on Monday, March 16, shutting restaurants, casinos, bars and gyms. Read more: NJ Coronavirus: Bars, Restaurants, Theaters To Shut

• State health officials said they believe the virus is "community-spread" in New Jersey. "Community-spread indicates that the coronavirus is amongst us," Persichilli announced. Read more: Coronavirus May Be 'Community-Spread' In NJ
• Schools and colleges across the state continued to cancel classes, move classes online and prepare for an outbreak that could get worse. Read more: Coronavirus NJ School Closures: Here's The Latest (UPDATE)
• Murphy has declared a state of emergency, which allows his administration to expand its powers to treat the illness. Read more: NJ Gov. Murphy Declares State Of Emergency Because Of Coronavirus
• The first person in New Jersey to die of the coronavirus was reported on Tuesday, March 10. Read more: First NJ Coronavirus Death, 4 New Cases: Governor
• The second person in New Jersey to die because of the illness was announced on Saturday, March 14. Read more: 2nd Death Due To Coronavirus In New Jersey
• State health officials have issued a long list of coronavirus outbreak guidelines for New Jersey schools and colleges now that the number of cases continues to climb in the United States and across the Garden State. Read more: NJ Issues New Coronavirus Guidelines For Schools, Colleges (UPDATE)
• New Jersey's courts suspended all new jury trials until further notice, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said on Thursday, March 12. Read more: Coronavirus Throws Monkey Wrench Into New Jersey Court System
• The NJ Motor Vehicle Commission also extended expiration dates for driver licenses, registrations and inspection stickers. Read more: NJ Driver's License Changes Because Of Coronavirus Outbreak
• Murphy recommended on Thursday, March 12 that gatherings of 250 people or more should be canceled. Read more: Gov. Murphy: NJ Should Cancel Large Gatherings Due To Coronavirus
• Hospitals also issued additional restrictions to visitors. Read more: New Hospital Restrictions In NJ Coronavirus Outbreak
• Compiled by Johns Hopkins University, this interactive map lets you track confirmed coronavirus cases in real time. Read more: Coronavirus Tracker: Latest Numbers In New Jersey
• Bayer has closed their Morristown and Whippany locations until further notice. Read more: Pharmaceutical Giant Closes NJ Offices Amidst Coronavirus Concern
• PSE&G is giving financially struggling customers a break in "the interest of protecting public health." Read more: PSEG Stops Gas, Electric Shut-Offs As NJ Copes With Coronavirus
• State Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner announced on Saturday, March 14 that municipal court sessions will be suspended for two weeks, beginning Monday, March 16, to mitigate public exposure to COVID-19 coronavirus.
• Teaneck's mayor urged his community to self-quarantine since cases in his town rose to 18. Read more: Teaneck Mayor Urges Town To Self-Quarantine From Coronavirus
• Ocean County health officials said a pregnant Toms River woman tested positive for the coronavirus. Read more: Pregnant Toms River Woman Is Positive For Coronavirus: County

How It Spreads

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.
There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19.
While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention always recommends taking preventive actions to contain the spread of viruses. This includes:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

Residents who have questions about the virus can contact the State of New Jersey's hotline at 1 (800) 222-1222. The hotline is home of the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System, and is staffed 24 hours a day by state health workers.

Thanks for reading! Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Have a news tip you'd like to share? Or maybe you have a press release you would like to submit or a correction you'd like to request? Send an email to russ.crespolini@patch.com

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter. You can also have them delivered to your phone screen by downloading, or by visiting the Google Play store.