Geisinger limits visitations at 13 hospitals following COVID-19 spikes across state

Ioannis Pashakis//October 27, 2020

Geisinger will temporarily restrict in-person visits to all of its hospitals, including Geisinger Holy Spirit, following spikes of positive COVID-19 cases across the state.

The Danville, Montour County-based hospital system announced on Monday that it will once again restrict visitations to its hospitals on Nov. 2.

Exceptions to the new restrictions include visitations to delivering mothers, patients who are medically unstable, any patients who are imminently dying and minors.

Visitations for outpatient procedures, diagnostics and clinical appointments will not be part of the new restrictions.

This is the second time this year that Geisinger has restricted visitations to its hospitals. The system began allowing two visitors for each of its adult patients in June after first limiting visits in March.

On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced there were 2,751 new positive cases of COVID-19 reported, adding to the statewide total of 198,446. In its most recent report, the department said that daily increases of positive cases were now comparable to what the state saw in April.

In a statement, Geisinger said it understands that restrictions are a point of stress for families and noted that it provides iPads to family members to help make communicating easier.
“It can be difficult being apart from a family member when they’re in the hospital, and having that connection is important,” the system wrote. “Family and friends are encouraged to find alternative ways of visiting, such as phone calls, Facetime, Skype and other means when possible.”

Geisinger employs 33,800 people including 1,800 physicians. The system has 13 hospitals, two research centers and a school of medicine.

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