RWJ Barnabas Hospitals Suspend Visits Amid Coronavirus Spread

As the new coronavirus continues to spread across New Jersey, the RWJ Barnabas Health network has suspended visitation until further notice at all of its hospitals and health care facilities, the company announced.

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

Any visitors allowed under limited circumstances will be screened for COVID-19 before they are allowed into the facility.

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Exceptions to the visitor policy may be made in these circumstances:

• Pediatric units (only ONE parent/guardian will be permitted)
• Maternity and labor & delivery units (only ONE significant other/support person can visit)
• Neonatal intensive care units (TWO parents/support persons can visit)
• Same-day surgery or ambulatory procedures (only ONE person can visit)
• Pediatric psychiatric patients (only ONE if/when a mutual agreement between the care team and the parents/guardian has been reached)
• Extenuating circumstances (such as hospice) will also be considered based on the best interest and needs of the individual patient.
• Emergency Department patients may be accompanied by ONE adult.
• Outpatients may be accompanied by ONE adult (unless an aide or assistant is required).

Approved visitors will be screened for the following and may not be allowed to visit or stay based on:

• Recent international travel history
• Recent domestic travel to areas with widespread COVID-19 infection
• Contact with individuals with known COVID-19
• Cold or flu-like symptoms

All visitors should wash their hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer before and after visiting.

As of Sunday, there were 98 cases of COVID-19 in New Jersey, and two people have died from it, according to the state health department.

COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

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