Coronavirus In RI: Visitation Restricted At South County Hospital

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI — Following in the footsteps of other healthcare providers across the state, South County Hospital has restricted patient visitors amid concerns about the new coronavirus. No children or anyone with any symptoms of illness will be allowed into patient wards, hospital officials said.

The new policy is level one of three, a statement published on the hospital's website said, and limits visitors under the age of 19 or those with any of the follow symptoms:

• Cough
• Fever
• Chills
• Runny nose
• Stuffy nose
• Sore throat

Patients at the hospital and its satellite healthcare facilities are asked to call their doctor before coming into the office if they are sick. Anyone with respiratory symptoms will be asked to wear a face mask and use hand sanitizer upon entering the office.

"Our goal is to care for you at the highest level while making sure the public risk of exposure to coronavirus is minimized," the statement said.

More information is available on the hospital's website.

Lifespan has several limited visitors to their hospital in Rhode Island, only allowing outsiders into patient wards in certain circumstances. In addition, nursing homes around the state have restricted visitors and changed policies to only allow patients to leave for necessary appointments.

There have been three confirmed cases of the virus in Rhode Island so far. On Monday, Governor Gina Raimondo declared a state of emergency, which she said would allow for more funding and resources. At this time, the risk to most Rhode Islanders remains low, state health officials said.

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