Northern Arizona Healthcare has returned to more restrictive visitation guidelines in light of a recent uptick in COVID-19 cases in the area.
Since May 7, 2021, NAH, which includes the Flagstaff Medical Center Verde Valley Medical Center and related primary care and specialty physician clinics and outpatient surgical centers, has been following “moderate community spread” guidelines, which has allowed up to two visitors per day per patient in most circumstances.
In recent weeks, the number of positive COVID- 19 cases in Northern Arizona has increased, prompting NAH to go back to their “high community spread” guidelines, the organization announced in a media briefing Aug. 9.
“We’re facing another wave of COVID-19 infections with the most recent outbreak of the Delta variant,” Flagstaff Medical Center Chief Administration Officer Josh Tinkle said.
The current visitation guidelines went into effect Aug. 11 and are as follows:
■ No general visitation except for special circumstances or end-of-life patients
■ One person allowed for labor and delivery
■ In the pediatric unit, up to two parents or guardians are allowed
■ For outpatient surgeries, one visitor is allowed to visit once right after the surgery
■ No visitation is allowed for ambulatory and general outpatient patients unless there are special circumstances
In addition to the new visitor guidelines, all visitors, patients and staff are required to wear a mask at all times while inside the hospital or clinic regardless of whether they have received a COVID-19 vaccination or not.
This is largely due to the high spread of a new strain of COVID-19 known as the Delta variant, Hospitalist Medical Director John Mougin said.
“Unfortunately, COVID- 19 infections have not gone away as we had hoped. As many of you are aware, we’re seeing a spike in cases with some very highly infectious variance,” he said.
The Delta variant is now considered the most commonly seen strain of the virus and is 200% to 250% more contagious than previous variants. One contagious person can spread the virus to as many as six to 10 others, Mougin said.
Because of this recent increase in cases and the aggressive nature of the Delta variant, NAH and other health departments are continuing to encourage the community to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Mougin said those who have not received the vaccine and are infected with the Delta variant have an 85% higher risk of needing to be hospitalized compared to the vaccinated.
“The vaccine is doing its job, and we’ve seen hugely reduced severe infections, hospitalizations and deaths amongst that vaccinated population both nationally and locally,” Mougin said.
However, those who are vaccinated can still carry and spread the virus without showing symptoms, which is why a mask policy is in place at NAH.
As far as how the hospital itself is doing, FMC’s Chief Medical Officer Derek Feuquay said that as of Aug. 9, Verde Valley Medical Center had 63 patients total, 13 of which were COVID- 19 patients. No patients were on ventilators at the time and the ICU was about half full.
Tyffany Laurano, NAH’s chief nursing officer, said the network is still struggling with staffing but has been able to utilize the help of travel nurses and is currently fully staffed in the ICU.
Additionally, Laurano thanked the public for the cards and letters they have sent thanking the staff at NAH hospitals, which have helped lift their spirits throughout the pandemic.
“We’ve taken entire hallways and entire walls of units to fill with those inspirational letters and those thank yous, and it is incredibly meaningful to our staff,” she said.
For information on how to send cards or letters to hospital staff, email communications@nahealth. com. For more information on NAH visitor guidelines, visit nahealth.com.
Free COVID-19 vaccinations are available at most Verde Valley pharmacies on a walk-in basis with no appointment necessary.
