CLEVELAND — Citing a rise in COVID-19 cases in the region, the Cleveland Clinic is adjusting its visitation policy starting Tuesday, the hospital system announced. 

The new visitation policy will be effective for all of the system’s Ohio medical centers. 

In most cases, the Cleveland Clinic previously allowed patients two visitors per day. The new policy will reduce the number of guests a patient can have.

What is Cleveland Clinic's new visitation policy?

For patients who are either COVID-19 positive or negative, the changes include: 

  • Inpatients will be allowed one designated visitor through their entire hospital stay 
  • Outpatients will be allowed one visitor per appointment or procedure
  • Patients in the Emergency Department will be allowed one designated visitor through their entire hospital stay

During prenatal appointments: 

  • Patients who are COVID-19 positive will be allowed one visitor
  • Patients who are COVID-19 negative will be allowed two visitors for fetal ultrasounds and one visitor for regular prenatal appointments

In Labor and Delivery:

  • Patients who are COVID-19 positive will be allowed one visitor during labor
  • Patients who are COVID-19 negative will be allowed two visitors

 

In pediatrics: 

 

  • Patients who are COVID-19 positive will be allowed one parent or guardian
  • Patients who are COVID-19 negative will be allowed two parents or guardians

The Cleveland Clinic said there has been a rise in the number of coronavirus-positive patients at its hospitals. 

According to the Ohio Department of Health, nearly 20% of all intensive care unit beds in the state are occupied with someone infected with COVID-19.