Several New Jersey hospitals have begun putting mask requirements and visitor restrictions in place as cases of COVID, flu and RSV have increased recently and will likely continue to do so over the next several weeks.
New Jersey is one of eight states whose respiratory illness indicators are listed as "very high" by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with COVID, flu and RSV accounting for about 8% of all emergency room visits.
Large hospital networks — including Hackensack Meridian and RWJBarnabas, whose facilities stretch across the state — have different restrictions in place, depending on the hospital.
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COVID hospitalizations statewide have shot up from 903 on Christmas Eve to 1,258 on New Year's Eve, according to state Department of Health data. There were 135 COVID patients in intensive care and 35 on ventilators on Dec. 31. Although those numbers have risen, they are still below the numbers on the same date the previous year.
Flu activity is high throughout NJ
Flu activity is now high in all of New Jersey, with 12 of 18 outbreaks happening in the last three weeks, according to the latest Health Department report on Dec. 23. Only the densely populated northeast and shore counties had high rates in the prior report.
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Respiratory diseases tend to see a spike in January, because holiday gatherings and travel often lead to more spread. And although experts can't always predict how severe the season is going to be, viruses that cause seasonal influenza tend to spread in New Jersey well into March.
Hackensack Meridian
Patients, visitors and staff must wear masks during patient encounters at all of Hackensack Meridian's 18 hospitals, physician offices, rehabilitation facilities and other facilities where patients are cared for.
The new guidelines, which took effect on Dec. 27, will limit or restrict visitation in high-risk areas depending on the COVID activity level of a hospital or facility in a given region of the state.
It is recommended that visitors email consumerservices@hmhn.org to find out the latest restrictions at any of Hackensack Meridian's hospitals.
RWJBarnabas
All visitors are expected to wear face masks when in the presence of patients at RWJBarnabas facilities.
Visitor restrictions can vary at each of the network's 14 hospitals. Most have not changed their guidelines since early October, but some have made changes in recent weeks. Information on each hospital can be found at rwjbh.org.
Holy Name
The Teaneck-based health network instituted mandatory mask-wearing for all staff, volunteers, visitors and patients in areas where "direct patient care is rendered" as of Dec. 29.
Staff and volunteers can take off their masks when not providing care, in areas such as break rooms or cafeterias.
Only two people are allowed to visit at one time, and only one can accompany a patient in the emergency room.
No visitors under 14 are permitted. People under 18 cannot visit the ICU, the special care nursery, pediatrics, or labor and delivery.
Englewood Health
Englewood Health issued restrictions beginning Dec. 27 at its flagship medical center. Masks are encouraged but not required.
Only two visitors are allowed at one time. Visiting hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Visitors under 14 are not allowed. Those under 18 are not allowed in the neonatal intensive care unit, adult intensive care, the labor/delivery and mother/baby areas, or pediatrics.
There are some exceptions for different units that can be found here.
The Valley Hospital
No changes to visitor guidelines have been made since October at the Ridgewood hospital. Masking remains optional.
Atlantic Health
Atlantic Health, which operates six hospitals including Chilton in Pequannock and Morristown Medical Center, placed restrictions on visits at some of its locations depending on the severity of disease transmission in those communities. Information on a particular hospital can be found here.
Visitors may be asked to where a mask upon arrival at an Atlantic Health hospital.
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As COVID, flu and RSV spike, NJ hospitals require masks again - NorthJersey.com
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