ATTENTION: 

NO VISITORS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

KCH is implementing a NO VISITOR policy 
effective Monday, November 2 at 6 am, until further notice.

There will be very limited exceptions only for:

• End-of-life patients
• Patients with disabilities who need assistance
• Ultrasounds for pregnant women will allow a support person
• Patients under 18 - Both parents will be allowed to visit their child
• Maternity patients can have one support person for the duration
  of their hospital stay

There will be no time limits on approved visitors. There will be no visitation restriction on members of the clergy and those with power of attorney.

The power of attorney applies only to a person who is making decisions for a patient who is unable to do so, based upon the physician’s evaluation of the patient’s cognitive abilities.

SITES IMPACTED:

All Knox Community Hospital care sites will be impacted by this policy, to include:

• Knox Community Hospital
• Knox Medical Pavilion
• Wright Family Medical Pavilion
• Center for Rehabilitation and Wellness
• KCH Urgent Care
• All Department of Primary and Specialty Care Physician Group offices
• Any KCH-run facility

COVID-19 Update: 

RECORD-BREAKING HOSPITALIZATIONS

"Governor DeWine announced today that hospitals across Ohio are currently treating 1,221 COVID-19 patients which are the most hospitalized patients at one time since the start of the pandemic. A total of 216 of these hospitalizations were reported in the past 24 hours which is the highest number of hospitalizations reported in a single day and more than 50 hospitalizations more than the previous high in mid-July. 

Ohio is also recording an increase in ICU admissions and ventilator utilization. 

"So far, Ohio's hospitals still have the adequate remaining capacity to care for everyone who is sick, but our hospitalizations are already breaking records, and we are not seeing any signs of Ohio's case numbers slowing down," said Governor DeWine. "If we don’t buckle down, wear our masks, and take care of each other, I am very concerned that our hospitals will begin to fill up. We pushed this virus down before, and it's up to all of us to do it again."

Ohio also reported 2,015 new COVID-19 cases since yesterday. Sixty-nine of Ohio's 88 counties have a high incidence of COVID-19 spread, meaning their rate of cases is more than 100 cases per 100,000 population in the past two weeks."  

Know how it spreads

• There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19).
• The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
• The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
• Respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
• These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
• Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

LEARN MORE:
https://governor.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/governor/media/news-and-media/covid19-update-10202020
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

Governor DeWine Issues Statewide Mask Order

Governor DeWine announced that beginning on Thursday, July 23, at 6:00 p.m., a statewide mask mandate will go into effect for citizens living in all 88 Ohio counties. 

"Our preliminary data indicate that the rate of increase in new cases has slowed in the high-risk counties where masks are already mandated, so we are cautiously optimistic that things are heading in the right direction," said Governor DeWine. "We believe that requiring masks statewide will make a significant difference and will be key to making sure other counties do not progress to a higher level of increased spread."

All individuals in Ohio must wear facial coverings in public at all times when:

• At an indoor location that is not a residence
• Outdoors, but unable to maintain six-foot social distance from people who are not household members
• Waiting for, riding, driving, or operating public transportation, such as a taxi, a car service, or a private car used for ride-sharing.

The order only requires those 10 years old or older to wear a mask. Additional exclusions include: 

• Those with a medical condition or a disability or those communicating with someone with a disability;
• Those who are actively exercising or playing sports;
• Those who are officiants at religious services;
• Those who are actively involved in public safety; or
• Those who are actively eating or drinking.

Schools should follow the guidance previously issued pertaining to masks.

Learn more: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/resources/news-releases-news-you-can-use/gov-dewine-issues-statewide-mask-order-travel-warning