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In response to increased community spread and the heightened risk of hospitalization posed by the Delta variant, all Vidant Health hospitals are adjusting visitation policy in the Emergency Department.

To ensure the safety of patients, families and team members, effective 7 a.m. Friday, Aug. 13, visitors will not be allowed in the ED lobby or waiting areas at hospitals across Vidant’s system, to include Vidant Roanoke-Chowan Hospital in Ahoskie, Vidant Bertie Hospital in Windsor, and Vidant North Hospital in Roanoke Rapids.

ED patients can have one healthy adult visitor screened and masked at all times once the patient has been placed into a room, as long as the patient is not COVID positive.

Vidant officials say it remains vitally important that community members continue to practice safety measures such as washing hands, wearing a mask and avoiding large gatherings.