Cape Fear Valley Health loosens visitor restrictions after CDC guidance, vaccine increase

May 26—Cape Fear Valley Health is loosening its visitors restrictions following updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and an increasing number of area residents getting COVID-19 vaccine.

The health system's facilities still require everyone to wear a facemask at all times, except for the HealthPlex, which only requires masks for visitors if they have not been fully vaccinated, according to a statement released by Cape Fear Valley officials.

All visitors must complete a verbal screening questionnaire and have their temperature taken before entry. Those with a temperature above 100.3 Fahrenheit will not be allowed to enter.

The new restrictions will allow some patients to have an unlimited number of visitors between noon and 8 p.m., the statement said. Visitors must be at least 12-years of age, and no more than two visitors will be allowed to visit at a time.

Certain facilities and certain areas of others are more restrictive due to the severity of injury or illness of the patients.

Only one visitor will be allowed in the pre-op area for surgery patients, but unlimited visitors may wait in the surgical waiting room, according to the statement. In the emergency department, only one visitor at a time will be allowed in a patient's room.

In the family-centered care unit, only one visitor per patient can stay overnight. Labor and delivery patients are allowed to have three people in their room for support, all of whom must be at least 16-years or older. Those visitors cannot switch in and out of the room with other people, but can leave the room and return.

Pediatrics and the pediatric intensive care unit will only allow one overnight parent or guardian at a time. Parents with children in the neonatal intensive care unit may come and go at any time, but only a total of four visitors will be allowed between noon and 8 p.m. and only two at a time can visit.

Oncology and oncology clinics will allow up to two visitors at a time, with the exception of the chemotherapy area, where visitation is not allowed. Outpatient clinics and Fayetteville Ambulatory Surgical Center will allow no more than two visitors per patient.

Cape Fear Valley Behavioral Health Care is only allowing two visitors per patient at a time. Visiting hours are 7 to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday and 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on weekends.

Long-term acute care patients at Highsmith-Rainey Specialty Hospital are only allowed visitors who can provide proof that they have received the COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 patients will now be allowed two visitors per day from 4-8 p.m. but all visitors must wear a facemask. Visitors to COVID-19 patients will not be allowed to leave and then re-visit on the same day.

For more information, visit www.CapeFearValley.com.

Health and education writer Ariana-Jasmine Castrellon can be reached at acastrellon@gannett.com or 910-486-3561.

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