Open Accessibility Menu
Hide

Statement on Visitation Restrictions

As Maryland moves into phase 3 of the governor’s COVID-19 recovery plan, several hospitals have re-opened limited inpatient visitation.

Atlantic General Hospital and Health System continues to operate at Level Orange of our Emergency Preparedness Visitation Policy. At Level Orange, routine visitation remains suspended and visitation in the Emergency Department is limited.

Accommodations are continuing for end of life visitation, persons with disabilities requiring a caregiver and for parents of minors.

Our visitation decisions are determined based on local data and thresholds set by the Maryland Health Department. Limited inpatient visitation will reopen once we have consistently remained below the 5% COVID-19 positivity rate in our local community. For more information on this data, visit the Maryland Department of Health website at https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/.

As of Sept. 8, 2020, the COVID-19 7-day positivity rate for the state of Maryland was 3.84% while Worcester County had a 7.63% positivity rate. Our county’s positivity rate is nearly twice the state average, and is higher than the 5% threshold state target required to lift visitation restrictions.

We continue to watch the data closely and prepare to reopen limited visitation at Atlantic General Hospital and Health System once our county consistently meets the required threshold.

We know that being separated from loved ones who are hospitalized is difficult. We will continue to support communication between patients and families with telephone and video visits, such as FaceTime, Skype or Zoom. We encourage family, friends and loved ones to utilize these apps and electronic devices to keep in contact with patients.

We thank you, our community, for your patience and we look forward to welcoming you back to visit safely.

Sincerely,

Matt Morris, Vice President of Patient Care Services