Special to Iredell Free News

WINSTON-SALEM – March 20, 2020 – In order to help protect patients, family members and health care workers from the spread of COVID-19, no visitors will be allowed at any of Wake Forest Baptist Health’s inpatient facilities, effective Friday, March 20, at 8 p.m., except in the following situations:
♦ Hospitalized minors (maximum of two family members per day);
♦ Patients at the end of life (maximum of two family members per day);
♦ Patients needing help with communication, decision making or mobility; and
♦ Patients giving birth (maximum of two family members or support people per day)

Families with special situations should contact their care team and attending physician.

In addition:
♦ Children 12 and under, including siblings of patients, may not visit.
♦ Access will be limited to certain entrances at each hospital within the Wake Forest Baptist Health system. Signage will direct visitors to the appropriate entrances.
♦ All visitors will undergo screening for fever, cough or other symptoms of respiratory illness.

“We know these changes will be difficult, but our responsibility is to protect the health of our patients, their loved ones and our staff,” said Dr. Julie Ann Freischlag, CEO of Wake Forest Baptist Health and dean of Wake Forest School of Medicine.

Wake Forest Baptist understands that interacting with friends and family is often helpful to the healing process and strongly encourages other forms of support such as phone calls or video chats on cell phones or other mobile devices.

The restrictions apply to all Wake Forest Baptist inpatient locations:
♦ Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center;
♦ Wake Forest Baptist Health – Davie Medical Center;
♦ Wake Forest Baptist Health – High Point Medical Center;
♦ Wake Forest Baptist Health – Lexington Medical Center; and
♦ Wake Forest Baptist Health – Wilkes Medical Center