Samaritan Announces Changes to Visitation

Published on: July 1, 2025

Watertown, NY – Samaritan recognizes the benefits to our patients through visitation. With the decrease in COVID-19 cases in the community, we have expanded visitation opportunities to inpatients of the hospital.  

As of Tuesday, July 1, 2025, most inpatients (patients admitted) at Samaritan Medical Center may have up to four (4) visitors present during designated visiting hours, which are 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., and there is no limit to the total number of visitors per day. The exceptions to this change are the intensive care unit (ICU) and Car-Freshner Center for Women and Children which remain at two (2) visitors.

All visitors must be at least twelve years old (some exceptions apply) and must check in and out through the Main Lobby of the Medical Center or the Car-Freshner Center for Women and Children (for labor and delivery, mother-baby, and pediatric patient visitation only). Visitors will be required to wear a name tag that will be provided upon check-in.

For health and safety purposes, all visitors must be in good health. For any patient on isolation precaution, their visitors must wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) while in the hospital. Visitors are encouraged to practice proper hand hygiene throughout their visit.

Please review our policy online in its entirety at samaritanhealth.com/visitation.