Cleveland Clinic Restricting Visitors Due To Rise In COVID-19 Cases

Starting Tuesday, Sept. 14, Cleveland Clinic will once again restrict visitors due to the continued spike in COVID-19 cases. 

All Clinic patients who are hospitalized, in the emergency department or who have an appointment or procedure not requiring a hospital stay can have one designated visitor, according to the  new policy. Patients were previously allowed two visitors. 

The guidance applies to everyone, regardless of whether they have COVID-19, although there are some exceptions, the policy states.

Patients in labor and delivery or who are coming in for a prenatal appointment can have two visitors if they test negative for COVID-19, or one visitor if they are positive.  

Additionally, pediatric patients can have two parents or guardians if they test negative for COVID-19 and one parent or guardian if they are positive.

The policy states visitors must be 18 or older, wear a mask at all times and pass a COVID-19 health screening when they arrive. Visitation hours remain from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Hospitals across the state are grappling with the state's surging COVID-19 cases. At least two hospitals in the southern region of the state have already reached their ICU capacity due to staffing shortages, according to state hospital officials.

While Cleveland-area hospitals, including Cleveland Clinic, still have plenty of beds and capacity, officials are growing concerned about the lack of staffing coupled with the uptick in COVID-19 hospitalizations, officials said.

Gov. Mike DeWine will hold a news briefing Tuesday afternoon to address the state of COVID-19 in Ohio. It will be the first time the governor has held a briefing since Aug. 17.