Coastal GA News

Southeast Georgia Health System issued the following announcement on Apr. 25. 

Due to the low prevalence of COVID-19 in southeast Georgia communities, effective April 25, 2022, Southeast Georgia Health System will relax its masking and resume its pre-COVID-19 visitor policies.

Masks

Consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for healthcare facilities—which as Joint Commission certified facilities the Health System must follow--all individuals, both vaccinated and non-vaccinated, are required to wear procedural masks in all clinical areas and hallways in Health System buildings where clinical services are provided. Signage will be posted in areas requiring masks. To the extent new CDC guidance is released allowing relaxing of masking in these areas, the Health System will adjust its policy accordingly.

For its vaccinated team members and medical staff, as well as all patients and visitors, masks will be optional in non-clinical buildings, administrative offices, cafeterias, conference rooms and gift shops. Medical staff and team members receiving a medical or religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination mandate are required to mask in all “optional masking” areas.

Visitation

With the exception of COVID-19 patient floors, visitation will be open with very little restrictions, consistent with pre-COVID-19 visitor policies. Specialized units, such as intensive and critical care units, may have individual restrictions and/or flexibilities for their patients. Children under the age of 12 may have limited visiting privileges or may be restricted from some patient areas.

Individuals should not visit patients if experiencing any illness or COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms.

COVID-19 screenings

In-person screenings at Health System facility entrances have been discontinued. Signage at each entrance directs those experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to avoid entering the building unless seeking medical treatmen. Team members and medical staff members will continue to self-monitor for potential illness.

The Health System reserves the right to update masking and visitation policies at any time based on COVID-19 conditions.

Original source can be found here.