Limited Visitation and Support Persons Allowed as COVID Cases/Hospitalizations Decrease

Published on: February 28, 2022

Watertown, NY – Limited visitation and support persons has been announced beginning Monday, February 28, 2022.  Masks continue to be required to protect patients, staff, support persons, and visitors.

After months of careful consideration, Samaritan has determined it is now in a position to allow limited visitation based on the stabilization of COVID-19 hospitalization rates.  Visitation promotes health and well-being to patients, proving to decrease the length of stay, increase patient satisfaction, and decrease readmissions.

The following patient populations are impacted:

Emergency Department

Medical, Surgical, Intensive Care Unit, and Progressive Care Unit

Inpatient Mental Health

Inpatients with Intellectual and/or Developmental Delays

Outpatient Services

Surgical Services

Patients, Support Persons, and Visitors are encouraged to review our visitor policy online at https://bit.ly/SMCVisitation.

For safety purposes, all visitors must be in good health and screened.  Driver’s license and photo ID are required at the time of visit.  Most visitation is 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. and is restricted to those 18 years and older; some exceptions may be made.  Masks are required, as well as proper hand-washing throughout the visit. Visitors who have recently been in quarantine or in contact with anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 are encouraged to stay home.