A major retail health care provider is closing its hospitals to most visitors to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Avera Health made the announcement Tuesday morning. The order includes all hospitals in its system.
According to a press release, limited visitors will be allowed for end-of-life, births, NICU and pediatric cases.
Staff are setting up virtual visitation at several of its hospitals. Avera is encouraging family members to connect with patients using phones, text, social media or video chat.
Avera Chief Medical Officer David Erickson said the top priority is to protect everyone, especially the most vulnerable.
Avera is also asking patients to bring guests to appointments except in certain cases such as when the patient is a minor.