Sanford Health limits visitors amid high active COVID-19 cases

Sanford Health is restricting the number of visitors a patient can see amid rising cases of COVID-19 in Sioux Falls, the healthcare system announced Wednesday.

Each adult patient in the Sioux Falls area is now only allowed up to two visitors per day. Visitors cannot rotate throughout the day, the release says, which is the same policy for COVID-19 patients in isolation.

Non-COVID-19 patients at Sanford Children's Hospital are allowed two visitors at a time, from a list of six designated visitors. Parents and guardians are the only visitors permitted for pediatric patients with COVID-19.

There are currently 32,671 active cases currently in South Dakota — an increase of more than 4,000 from Tuesday, the second straight day of record cases for the week and the sixth day of reported increases in active cases since last week as omicron surges through the nation.

More:South Dakota reports 13 deaths, record number of active COVID-19 cases

“With the more contagious Omicron variant circulating and the rising positivity rate, Sanford Health is looking at ways to help slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Kelly Hefti, vice president, nursing and clinical services at Sanford Health Sioux Falls. “This temporary change in our visitor policy is one course of action we can take to help keep our patients and staff healthy.”

The healthcare system relaxed its visitor restrictions policy when COVID-19 cases were lower in 2021 — after restricting visitors toward the beginning of the  pandemic.

Sanford visitors may see adult patients between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily. Pediatric visitation hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, but parents and guardians of pediatric patients may visit any time. Masks are required, and Sanford Health strongly recommends all visitors have a COVID-19 vaccine before visiting.

More:Stop visiting the ER for COVID tests, Sanford Health and Avera ask as hospitalizations increase

Avera Health has had a limited visitor policy in place since early 2021 of two visitors per patient at one time in hospitals, surgery centers, emergency departments and clinics, although visitors are able to rotate throughout the day. Visitors are not allowed for any COVID-19 patients at Avera and all visitors are required to where masks on Avera property.

Avera spokeswoman Michelle Pellman said that Avera's policy is "always open for change" and that they review visitation policies on regular basis.

If any visitors are not feeling well, they should stay home, the release also notes. If they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, they should test right away.