Visitor Restrictions and Care Guidance for Respiratory Illness Season
Memorial Health System is experiencing a high surge in patients with respiratory illnesses. To help protect patients, visitors, and care teams, visitor restrictions are now in place at all Memorial Health System locations.
Visitor guidelines include:
- A maximum of two visitors per patient
- Visitors must be 18 years of age or older and show no signs of illness
- Exceptions may be permitted for 3 West (sibling visitation) and end-of-life care
- All permitted minors must be accompanied by an adult and show no signs of illness
- Masks are encouraged, but not required
Additional restrictions may apply to specialized units and certain illnesses.
In addition to these restrictions, providers ask individuals experiencing mild to moderate respiratory symptoms to schedule an appointment with their primary care provider or visit a Physicians Care Express location in Belpre or Marietta, Ohio. During periods of high patient volume, conditions that are not life-threatening—such as ear infections, urinary tract infections, or mild respiratory illnesses—are often treated more quickly in provider clinics or urgent care locations than in emergency departments.
Patients experiencing emergency symptoms—including trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure, severe or persistent vomiting, signs of dehydration, confusion, or a fever that does not improve with medication—should seek care at the nearest emergency department.
During this time, the health system asks for patience and understanding as care teams work diligently to treat everyone who enters their emergency departments. Memorial Health System follows the standard practice of prioritizing patients based on the severity of their condition, not arrival time. Patients with life-threatening or urgent medical needs are seen first, while those who are stable or need limited resources may experience longer wait times.
For more information regarding an emergency room visit during high patient volume times, visit mhsystem.org/EDVisits.
If you are unsure where to go for care, call Memorial Health System’s FREE 24 Hour Nurse Line at (844) 474-6522, where a registered nurse can help guide you to the appropriate level of care.
To help prevent respiratory illnesses from spreading, consider the following:
- Wash hands often with soap and water, and lather for at least 20 seconds every time
- If no soap is available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth
- Cover mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing or coughing and dispose of the tissue in the nearest waste receptacle after use
- Avoid contact with sick individuals
- Social distance when possible
- Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched, such as your mobile phone
- Stay home if sick, unless seeking medical attention
