Coronavirus: Mercy Health to begin heightened visitor restrictions

SPRINGFIELD — New visitor restrictions at Springfield Regional Medical Center and Urbana Hospital will go into place starting at midnight Friday because of the increased spread of COVID-19 in the region, Mercy Health - Springfield announced Thursday.

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Earlier Thursday, Clark County went from level two orange to level three red status on the Ohio Department of Health’s Ohio Public Health Advisory System, indicating very high exposure and spread of the COVID-19 virus in the county.

Champaign County remains at level two orange status, which denotes increased exposure and spread of COVID-19 in the county.

Mercy Health will not allow visitors to Springfield Regional Medical Center and Urbana Hospital for the health and safety of visitors, patients and employees.

Exceptions include mother/baby and pediatric patients, who can have one designated partner or primary caretaker/guardian accompany and stay with them.

Mercy Health will consider exceptions based on end-of-life situations or when a visitor is essential for the patient’s emotional well-being and care. Please call 937-523-1000 if you need to arrange for an exception.

Mercy Health realizes how difficult it is to not be able to accompany and see your loved ones in the hospital. It will be monitoring county COVID information closely and adjusting its visitor policies accordingly.

Cox Media Group