BALTIMORE (AP) - The 13 hospitals and other health care facilities operated by the University of Maryland Medical System across the state are limiting visitors starting Wednesday in response to the novel coronavirus.
The health network, which is one of Maryland’s largest private employers, announced Tuesday it will not allow hospital visits to people who show flu-like symptoms or have traveled outside the U.S. in the last 14 days.
The system is also limiting visitation to one adult per patient in all hospital areas, and barring anyone under the age of 18, except for parents of patients, from hospital waiting areas. This measure also applies to ambulatory clinics and urgent care facilities.
The changes were announced on the same day that Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan confirmed the state’s ninth case of COVID-19. The woman in her 60s lives in Montgomery County and is in good condition. Hogan said she was infected overseas and is not hospitalized.
According to the World Health Organization, the vast majority of people recover from this novel coronavirus in about two weeks after experiencing only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. But for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
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