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As Vidant Health continues to respond to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic across North Carolina, they are taking steps to ensure the safety of all. Vidant remains vigilant with its screening process for all visitors, entry requirements and visitor restrictions by department.

In response to decreased community spread, Vidant is carefully expanding visitation across the system, including for COVID-positive patients. Effective 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 16, Vidant will update visitor guidelines. Visitors must wear surgical masks provided at screening stations or personal N95/KN95 masks as long as they are clean, intact, without a valve and have no visible gaps.

Two (2) healthy adult visitors screened and masked at all times are now allowed per inpatient. Visitors may switch out with other visitors. Visitors must stay in patient’s room unless visiting the café.

One (1) designated healthy adult visitor may stay overnight. Overnight visitors may not switch out with other visitors.

For Labor & Delivery units, six (6) designated visitors (includes labor partner or doula) that are identified on admission are able to visit throughout duration of mother’s stay. Siblings can be identified as a part of the six (6) approved visitors as desired by the patient. Siblings must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Only two (2) visitors are allowed at the bedside at any time.

In the Emergency Department, two (2) visitors, screened and masked for adult and pediatric patients, are allowed.

Despite the encouraging trend of cases, it remains vitally important for community members to continue to practicing safety measures such as washing hands, wearing a mask and avoiding large gatherings.

This is an evolving situation, and Vidant continues to monitor the spread and examine local data, including COVID-19 cases in our region and in hospitals, and will adjust visitation restrictions accordingly.

Vidant strongly encourages visitors to consider virtual visitation options such as FaceTime and phone calls. Assistance with virtual visits, including iPads for patients without the necessary technology, is available on request. Virtual visitation is the safest way to stay connected with a loved one.

For the latest information on Vidant’s visitor restrictions, visit VidantHealth.com/VisitingVidant.