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East Tennessee hospitals change visitor policies in response to COVID-19

Hospitals in East Tennessee are implementing visitor restrictions as more cases pop up in the state.

Hospitals in East Tennessee are changing their visitor policies to protect patients, staff and the community from COVID-19.

Visitors wishing to visit loved ones will now have further restrictions. This list will be updated as policy changes are announced:

UT Medical Center

Visitors are no longer allowed in the hospital, with a few exceptions.

  • People can visit a loved one for end-of-life care.
  • Visitors who are vital to the care of the patient (unique communication needs, language barriers)
  • Patients coming for surgery or testing may have one caregiver with them.
  • Women giving birth may have one birthing partner, doula or caregiver
  • Babies in the NICU may have one visiting parent
  • Approved visitors must be 16 years old or older.

You can find more details here.

RELATED: UT Medical Center dispels social media rumors saying hospital is on lockdown

East Tennessee Children's Hospital

  • Only two parents or guardians critical to a child's care may visit.
  • No visitors age 16 or under are permitted.

You can find the latest guidelines here.

RELATED: East Tennessee Children's Hospital in need of sani-cloths

Covenant Health hospitals

The following policies apply to Parkwest Medical Center, Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, LeConte Medical Center, Fort Loudoun Medical Center, Claiborne Medical Center, Cumberland Medical Center and Roane Medical Center.

Visitors are no longer allowed in these hospitals, with a few exceptions.

  • Visiting a loved one for end-of-life care
  • Visitors who are vital to the care of the patient
  • Patients coming for surgery or testing may have one caregiver accompanying them.
  • Women giving birth may have one birthing partner, doula or caregiver.

You can find more details here.

Blount Memorial Hospital

Visitors are no longer allowed in the hospital, with a few exceptions.

  • Visitors will be allowed for a loved one undergoing end-of-life care.
  • Visitors who are vital to a patient's care needs
  • Women giving birth will be allowed two adult support people.
  • Patients coming to the hospital for testing or surgery will be allowed one support person.

You can find additional information here.

HOW YOU CAN HELP: You can help by making cloth face masks or donating medical supplies

Tennova hospitals

This includes Turkey Creek Medical Center, North Knoxville Medical Center, Jefferson Memorial Hospital, LaFollette Medical Center and Newport Medical Center.

Only household contacts of those critical to patients' health care support may visit.

You can read more about how the hospitals are handling the coronavirus here.

CANCELLATIONS AND CLOSINGS: List of cancellations, closings in Knoxville, East Tennessee due to coronavirus concerns

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