MISHAWAKA, Ind.—Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the St. Joseph Health System (SJHS) is implementing a temporary no visitation policy and screening process.

Starting March 20, wellness screenings will be conducted on all individuals entering any SJHS hospital in Mishawaka or Plymouth. The screening involves a temperature check.

Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 F or higher will not be allowed to access the hospital unless they are seeking medical treatment on-site.

Individuals coming to the hospital for outpatient procedures will also be screened and if they have a temperature of 100.4 F, staff on-site will direct them towards next steps. 

Based on the evidence provided by the St. Joseph County Health Department of community spread of coronavirus in the area, SJHS is also implementing a no visitor policy.

The policy has a few exceptions. Exceptions include the following areas where a patient may get a visitor who is healthy and over the age of 18:

• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
• OB/ Delivery
• Pediatrics
• Emergency Department
• Outpatient Surgery

In end-of-life situations, two individual visitors may be allowed per patient and will be evaluated by staff members on a case-by-case basis.

A caregiver may be in attendance for the process of patients being admitted or discharged at the hospital.