SITKA – Effective Monday, March 30, Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center (MEMC) has suspended visiting hours in response to Governor Dunleavy’s issuance of Health Mandate 011 – Social Distancing. Visitation is now limited to only end-of-life situations, or accompaniment of a patient under the age of 18 with special assistance requirements.
“Community spread of the coronavirus is evident throughout our state and region,” said SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Elliot Bruhl. “There is a need to further mitigate the transmission of COVID-19 through limiting movement and close contact. In complying with the Governor’s mandate, we will create a safer environment for SEARHC patients and employees.”
Sitka Long-Term Care and Wrangell Medical Center, which is home to a long-term care facility, limited visitors to only end-of-life situations in early-March.
SEARHC recently expanded testing guidelines due to known community spread. Patients exhibiting symptoms of fever and cough, or shortness of breath, are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 test, regardless of travel history or known exposure to confirmed cases.
For questions regarding allowable visiting situations, contact MEMC at 907.966.2411. For more information on the coronavirus, visit covid19.searhc.org or call the SEARHC COVID-19 Hotline at 907.966.8799.