St. Joseph’s Health has put in place a no-visitors policy with some exceptions at its facilities in Paterson, Wayne, and Cedar Grove over the coronavirus, according to an announcement issued on Saturday afternoon.

“The health and safety of our patients, their families, and our staff remains our top priority. As a result, St. Joseph’s Health is restricting visitation across all of its hospitals, nursing and rehabilitation facilities,” reads the announcement.

The restrictions are effective Saturday, Mar. 14, 2020.

The no-visitors policy applies to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center in Wayne, and St. Joseph’s Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Cedar Grove.

However, the new restrictions do not completely ban visitors to the three facilities. Some visitation exceptions will be made in certain situations:

• Hospice
• St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital – Pediatrics
• Ambulatory Care/Same Day Surgery (one visitor)
• Maternity/Labor and Delivery (one visitor)
• Emergency Departments (one visitor), according to the announcement.

Visitors will be screened for such things as high temperatures at the entrances of the facilities. Each visitor will need to provide their contact information in case contact tracing becomes necessary. Visitors with elevated temperatures or respiratory symptoms will be not be allowed in the facilities.

The announcement states St. Joseph’s Health welcomes and encourages phone and video calls to patients.

“We take these proactive precautions to protect our patients, staff, and the communities we serve. We are sensitive to the separation this restriction causes our patients and their loved ones, but we believe this measure of protection is essential at this time,” concludes the announcement.

New Jersey has reported 50 presumptive positive cases of Covid-19. One person has died from the virus. 80 people are under investigation, according to the state.

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