Upstate University Hospital restricts visitors, other hospitals follow

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Upstate University Hospital, Upstate Community Hospital, and Upstate Cancer Center have restricted their visitor policy as of Thursday, citing “rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations” locally.

No visitors will be permitted until further notice, Upstate Medical University said in a statement, but “limited visitation is allowed” under certain circumstances. For example, end-of life decision-making with authorized approval.

In addition, Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital allows for each pediatric patient to have a total of two parents, guardians, or support persons who are 18 or older. Parents and support persons must remain at the bedside and are not permitted to come and go from the facility during the child’s hospitalization. No visitation is permitted outside of these two designated support persons.

Upstate University Hospital emergency departments do not currently allow visitors, except in situations involving end-of-life, disability, or dementia.

Upstate’s pediatric emergency department (Downtown campus) and Golisano After Hours (Community campus) allows for no more than two parent or support persons per child. Support persons must be over the age of 18.

Upstate Cancer Center and outpatient areas do not allow visitors unless determined by the center or clinic to be “essential” for care of the patient or critical case discussions.

Separately, Crouse Health and St. Joseph’s Health  also announced they are restricting visitors amid the surge in COVID-19 in our area.