Area hospitals close to visitors due to COVID-19

St. David's North Austin Medical Center
Photo credit courtesy St. David's HealthCare

AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Austin-area hospitals are closing their doors to visitors in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, in an effort to keep patients safe.

The new policy applies to Ascension Seton, Baylor Scott & White, and St. David's HealthCare facilities.

Exceptions will be made for:

  • Laboring and post-partum patients
  • Patients with disabilities or impairments or who are elderly
  • Patients in the neonatal ICU (NICU) and pediatric units
  • Patients requiring surgery or other medical procedures
  • Patients requiring end-of-life care.

One caregiver 18 years or older can accompany these patient populations; the visitor must pass health screening criteria in order to enter.

"Our priority is to reduce the transmission risk within our sites of care," a spokesperson for the hospitals said in a news release. "While we understand the importance of having the support of loved ones during a hospital visit or stay, we must prioritize the health and safety of our patients and caregivers during this unprecedented pandemic."