SARASOTA, Fla. — Doctors Hospital of Sarasota is again tightening its visitor policy amid a rise in new COVID-19 cases and record-breaking hospitalizations.
Officials on Monday announced no visitors will be permitted in its inpatient units. Exceptions must be approved by the administrator on-call or administration for end-of-life situations and behavioral health units, the hospital said in a news release.
Only one visitor will be allowed per patient in the emergency room or for those having outpatient surgery. The hospital also is allowing one visitor for people having a procedure that requires sedation.
Anyone under the age of 18 will not be considered for visitation unless they are the parent of a hospitalized child, the news release states.
The hospital says the rules are in effect "to protect our patients, caregivers and community."
Florida last reported 23,903 new cases of COVID-19 for Aug. 6 to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On Sunday, the Florida Hospital Association confirmed 13,435 hospitalizations statewide — a new pandemic high.
Doctors Hospital of Sarasota is a 155-bed acute and general care community hospital serving Sarasota and Manatee counties, according to its website.
You can read more about the policy changes on the Doctors Hospital website.