Salem Regional Suspends Inpatient Visits, Citing COVID Numbers

SALEM, Ohio — As of 7 a.m. Wednesday, Salem Regional Medical Center has suspended inpatient visitation.

The decision was made in light of the increased number of positive COVID-19 cases in the region, according to a press release.

“We are taking these necessary precautions to protect our patients and staff; and our visitation policies are updated to reflect national, state and regional efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Anita Hackstedde, Salem Regional president/CEO. “We also understand how important our patients’ connections are to their loved ones and we encourage family members and friends to call, use FaceTime or access our Virtual Visitor technology to stay engaged and provide support during the patient’s stay.”

Visitors are not permitted into the inpatient units. Exceptions will be considered for special circumstances, however, such as end-of-life situations or those who are essential to the well-being and care of patients, including those with significant physical or mental disabilities, according to the release.

Patients arriving at Salem Regional for outpatient testing or procedures, including those seeking care in the Emergency Department, may have one support person with them while they are in the building.

As of 2 p.m. on Aug. 17, the Ohio Department of Health reports 8,430 confirmed cases in Columbiana County since Jan. 1, 2020, as well as 501 hospitalizations and 236 deaths in that period. Of those cases, 2,438 were reported in Salem (ZIP code 44460).

For the two-week period running July 22 to Aug. 4, Columbiana County saw 116.8 cases per 100,000, which is below the statewide average of 125.1, according to the ODH. Over the last two weeks, 82 confirmed cases were reported in the 44460 ZIP code.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.