New UMass Memorial Policy Limits Visitors Due To Coronavirus

Worcester MA

07 January, 2021

2:17 PM

Description

WORCESTER, MA — UMass Memorial is instituting a strict new visitor policy beginning Friday in an attempt to limit coronavirus exposures. Starting Jan. 8, adult patients will not be allowed to have visitors in most cases. Exceptions include patients who are nearing the end of life, including patients with COVID-19. Parents or guardians will still be allowed to stay with children with some restrictions. "Due to the COVID-19 visiting restrictions, we ask that all patients and visitors follow our policies to minimize the number of people on the hospital campus at any one time, to reduce the number of people any one individual is exposed to throughout the day, and to help promote physical and social distancing," the policy says. Cases in Worcester and in the city's hospitals have been rising sharply in recent months, and health officials are expecting a big jump following the Christmas holiday. There were 102 coronavirus patients between the UMass Memorial and University campuses as of Jan. 6, including 43 people in intensive care, according to state data.