Officials with the Audubon County Hospital and Clinics said Thursday (today), “To protect our patients, families, and health care workers during the global outbreak of COVID-19 the following temporary visitor restrictions are being implemented effective immediately (3/12/20).”

The visitor restrictions are temporary and subject to change as necessary. Only primary caregivers will beallowedto visit patients. Primary caregivers must be at least 18 years of age and older and include: Parents/stepparents, spouse/significant other or other defined caregiver.

Visitors must be screened by nursing staff before visiting the patient at least once per day. The visitor must be free from illness such as fever, sore throat, cough, diarrhea, vomiting, or runny nose. Visitors must remain in patient rooms as appropriate and limit movement within the facility.Exceptions may be made in certain situations as approved by the patient care team. All visitors are required to wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer upon entering and exiting the patient’s room.

Officials said also, that “Effective Friday, March 13 at 9:30 p.m. the ACMH Fitness Center will be closed to the public until further notice”