North Shore Hospitals Restrict Visitations Amid Omicron Spike

SALEM, MA — Salem Hospital and Beverly Hospital are further restricting visitations amid the current coronavirus spike.

Salem Hospital's revised visitation policy more closely resembles one from early in the pandemic where patients will select their one visitor at the admitting process and that will be the only visitor allowed during the length of their stay.

Visitors were previously allowed one visitor at a time but could have different ones throughout a day or stay.

One visitor or support person may accompany patients in the hospital’s emergency department or at appointments in outpatient departments.

Mask and coronavirus screening protocols remain the same. Masks must be worn over the nose and mouth at all times within Mass. General Brigham facilities and all visitors must attest to not having coronavirus symptoms.

Exceptions are made for the birthplace and special care nursery. Adult patients may have one support person present throughout their stay in the birthplace. A healthy, masked, COVID-symptom-screened visitor will be permitted to visit mothers in the birthplace.

General visitation and intensive-care visitation hours are 2 to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 2 to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

Go here for Salem Hospital's complete visitation policy.

Beverly Hospital's visitation hospital is more restrictive with no visitors allowed as of Saturday.

"At Beverly and Addison Gilbert Hospitals, and our affiliated sites, we understand that being able to visit with your loved ones is important," Beth Isreal Lahey Health said. "However, to keep our patients and staff safe, effective January 8, 2022, we are not allowing visitors at this time."

The Beverly Hospital policy applies to critical care units and surgical units as well.

Exceptions are made for those with intellectual disabilities and end-of-life care at the physician's discretion.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)