AdventHealth Central Florida Division COVID-19 update: Aug. 1, 2021

Fla., August 01, 2021 — Dear news desks and reporters:

Effective Monday, Aug. 2, updates are being made to the visitation policy at all facilities in AdventHealth’s Central Florida division to help our teams providing care to our patients. We have made the decision to move from in-person visits to virtual visits for COVID-19 positive patients. Exceptions will be made for children under the age of 18, obstetrics, pediatrics and end of life situations. The Central Florida division includes Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Polk, Volusia and Flagler counties.

AdventHealth will make patient experience experts available to help patients connect with loved ones virtually, should assistance be needed.

The policy change is being made to support AdventHealth team members better care for the increasing number of COVID patients being seen across Central Florida.

Update AdventHealth Central Florida visitor policy (effective Aug. 2):

• COVID-19 positive — virtual visits.
• Non COVID-19 patients — one visitor at a time
• Obstetrics and pediatric patients — two visitors at a time
• Under 18 – COVID-19 positive patients — two adult caregivers at a time
• OB COVID-19 positive symptomatic — C-Section — two visitors a day, no visitors in OR

On Thursday, AdventHealth Central Florida moved to ‘black’ status and deferred all non-emergency surgeries at hospitals throughout the division. The status is being reviewed daily and will be updated should conditions change.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Is hospital capacity at risk?

A: The reason we are adjusting our status is to ensure we have capacity in the future. Our hospitals are designed in such a way that spaces are flexible and expandable. AdventHealth has an extensive health care system in place in Central Florida so we can locate patients to the facility that best matches the level of care they need.

Q: Do you have enough supplies and ventilators?

A: We have sufficient supplies of ventilators, monitors and other specialized equipment in order to quickly convert spaces in the hospital to both standard and ICU level rooms, should they be needed.

Q: What percentage of COVID inpatients are vaccinated?

A: Across AdventHealth’s nationwide system 94% of patients hospitalized with COVID are unvaccinated.

Q: Is AdventHealth administering COVID vaccines?

A: AdventHealth continues to offer COVID vaccines for the public at six Centra Care locations. AdventHealth also is offering COVID vaccines to inpatients at its hospitals throughout the Central Florida Division.

Q. Where should I go if I think I have COVID?

A: Rapid COVID testing is offered at all Centra Care locations. Only go to the emergency room if you are experiencing severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing.

www.AdventHealthOrlandoNews.com