CONTRIBUTED BY EAST ALABAMA HEALTH
VISITATION CHANGED TO RED LEVEL STARTING MONDAY
With the sudden uptick in COVID-19 hospitalizations, along with Lee and Chambers counties having “high” community transmission rates, EAMC and EAMC-Lanier changed to the “Red Level” visitation restrictions beginning Monday, July 26. That will mean reducing to one visitor in some situations, and no visitors in other situations.
“We feel this is the most prudent move to make at this time to limit further transmission of COVID-19,” stated John Atkinson, East Alabama Health spokesman. “Other hospitals in the state are also making this difficult decision right now. It’s not something we desire to do as we know it can create somewhat of a hardship for families, but it’s for the safety of our patients, our staff and ultimately for the community as we near the start of a new school year.”
Two key areas where visitors will not be allowed starting Monday, July 26 are Outpatient Surgery and Outpatient Tests and Procedures. Family members will be asked to drop patients off at the appropriate location and then will be contacted when the patient is ready to be picked up. “This is the same process we had during earlier peaks of the pandemic,” Atkinson said. “While some family members chose to wait in their cars in the parking lot then, we strongly encourage them during these warm months to return home or to find a local store or restaurant where they can wait in cooler temperatures.”
A chart showing what the “Red Level” visitation restrictions mean in various areas of the hospital is attached. To view all three levels and other related information, follow this link to our website: https://www.eamc.org/assets/documents/patientsguests/visitation-levels-updated-7-2021.pdf
TESTING SITE TO RE-OPEN
The number of residents seeking COVID-19 testing is ramping up and East Alabama Health is responding by re-opening its testing site. Hospital official hope to have it open by the middle of next week and more information will be provided at that time.
“This will allow us to assist residents while also more closely tracking positivity rates in the community,” said Atkinson. “Plus, we will be able to more quickly identify patients who could benefit from an infusion of monoclonal antibodies. These infusions have proven to greatly impact patients and have prevented 224 hospitalizations in our community so far. Only about seven percent of patients who have received these infusions have gone on to require hospitalization at EAMC.”
VACCINATION
LOCATIONS
COVID-19 vaccine is plentiful in the community and same-day appointments are available in many locations. The attached Excel spreadsheet lists some locations in east Alabama where the COVID-19 vaccine can be received. This ADPH link lists locations statewide.
www.alpublichealth.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html? appid=d84846411471404 c83313bfe7ab2a367.