AUGUST 24, 2021 – Northfield Hospital + Clinics has tightened visitor restrictions as cases of COVID-19 increase, driven mostly by the highly contagious delta variant.

All visitors must be masked and keep social distance. Visitors with any COVID-19 symptoms are not allowed.

• Hospital patients may have one adult visitors – the same visitor for the entire hospital stay. The visitor may come and go during visiting hours; no overnight stays. Hospital visiting hours are 9:00 am - 7:00 pm.

• Children in the hospital may have two parents/guardians as visitors. One may stay overnight.

• Patients with disabilities or dementia may have one designated support person who may stay overnight.

• Birth Center patients may have one consistent adult support person – the same person for the entire stay. This support person will stay the entire time in the patient room. A doula or support person may be here for active labor and delivery, and two hours after birth.

• Outpatient surgery and endoscopy patients may have one visitor in the Surgery Center waiting room during surgery and procedures. Children having outpatient surgery may have two parents (or legal guardians) during their stay.

Other visitor restrictions continue:

Emergency Department patients may have one adult visitor. Children may have two parents (or legal guardians) parents during their stay. Visitors must stay in the patient room. The visitor may leave and re-enter the Emergency Department one time, or make one switch to a different designated visitor.

Outpatients in hospital departments may have one visitor during appointments. This includes the Cancer Care & Infusion Center, Imaging, Breast Care Center, Lactation, and Lab. Children may have two parents (or legal guardians) parents during their appointment.

In all departments:

• All visitors will be screened, including temperature. Those who show symptoms of COVID will not be allowed to enter.

• All visitors must wear a face mask and keep 6 ft. distance from others. If visitors do not have a mask, one will be provided. Any visitor who refuses to wear a mask will not be allowed into the facility.

• No visitors under age 18.

• Visitors are not allowed for patients who have or may have COVID.

• Visitors must stay in the patient room.

• Masks must be worn any time NH+C staff are in the patient room.

In clinics:

• Adult clinic patients may not have visitors

• Pediatric patients may have two parents or guardians (no siblings)

• People with disabilities or dementia may have one support person

• Pregnant patients may have one support person for OB appointments and ultrasounds

Visitor restrictions may be loosened up again if there’s a decrease in COVID cases in the community. Visitor policies are based on the COVID positivity rate in Dakota County.

Systemwide precautions continue at all NH+C locations to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and to care for all patients safely.