New visitor guidelines for Sturgis Hospital

Due to an increase in local COVID-19 cases, Sturgis Hospital is limiting exposure by setting visitor guidelines, effective immediately.

Shari Ransberger, vice president of quality risk management at Sturgis Hospital, said tests for COVID-19 at the hospital revealed about a 13 percent positivity rate. That compares to about 2 percent of positive cases in tests two months ago, Ransberger said.

Visitors will now be screened prior to entering the hospital. Also, each visitor must wear a mask at all times.

Restriction exceptions include minor patients are permitted to have both parents/guardians with them while in the hospital; also, patients who require an in-home caregiver are permitted to have a caregiver stay with them.

End-of-life situations will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.