VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Due to the ongoing and increasing COVID19 threat, CHI Mercy Health is increasing visitor restrictions to NO VISITORS. Use Main Entrance Door #1.
Updated Visitor exceptions include:

· Pediatric patients will be allowed 1 adult
· Patients requiring caregivers
· Critical care/End-of-life will be determined by unit manager
· All visitors will be screened upon arrival to the hospital

Hospital President Keith Heuser said, “we’re strongly encouraging anyone who is suspicious of or concerned with COVID-19 exposure to PLEASE CALL 701-845-6400 FIRST prior to coming to the hospital / Emergency Room. Screening questions will be used during the phone call. These along with additional screening procedures have been implemented to keep our patients and staff safe.

Additionally, CHI Mercy Health issued this community board memo in a news release to the media on April 13th.

“We hope this finds you and your loved ones well. We want to stay in touch and keep you informed on developments across our ministry at CHI Mercy Health.

The health and safety of our employees, patients, visitors, and communities – are our highest priorities. As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, we continue to adjust our policies to help maintain everyone’s well-being.

The CDC recently released information that reports that even though one in four patients infected by COVID-19 are asymptomatic, they may still be contagious and might be able to pass on the virus to others. In light of this new information, we are acting now instead of later across our ministry.

We are moving forward with a universal masking policy for our staff and anyone entering CHI Mercy Health effective April 9, 2020. This means all of our employees in patient care areas will wear an appropriate mask while performing their duties in our facilities. Our guidance states that cloth masks are appropriate in certain non-patient areas of our hospital. Please wear a mask upon entering our facility.

By adopting universal masking, we are working ahead of the curve with the North Dakota Department of Health and CDC guidance. You can help. Donations of cloth masks will be accepted. They can be dropped off at our facility.

Thank you again for all of your support and for your steadfast commitment to CHI Mercy Health and to our mission.

Please keep our dedicated caregivers and the patients they serve in your thoughts and prayers.

Keith Heuser

President

CHI Mercy Health

Valley City & Lisbon