Cleveland Clinic Loosens COVID-19 Visitation Policies

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Clinic is loosening its COVID-19 restrictions at all facilities starting Tuesday, the hospital system announced.

Patients in every ward and department, including patients being treated for COVID-19, will now be able to see two visitors during their stay at the Cleveland Clinic.

"We are optimistic about the ongoing decrease of COVID-19 positivity rates, both at our testing sites and in our communities. This sustained trend means we are able to safely invite more visitors back to see our patients," the hospital system said in a statement.

Visitors to the Cleveland Clinic will still have to follow these rules:

• Visitation can occur between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.
• Anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 cannot visit a Cleveland Clinic patient until 10 days have passed since their positive test or exposure.
• Visitors must wear masks and pass a COVID-19 health screening test before entering the hospital or care facility.
• Visitors must sanitize their hands before entering the hosptial.
• Visitors seeing COVID-19 patients must wear a mask, eye protections, gown and gloves.

The full and updated Cleveland Clinic visitation policy is now available on the health system's website.

COVID-19 hospitalizations have fallen steadily across Ohio for multiple weeks. In the past 21 days, according to the Ohio Hospital Association (OHA), COVID-19 inpatient numbers have decreased 61 percent.

In Northeast Ohio, where the Cleveland Clinic is headquartered, approximately 230 patients are hospitalized for COVID-19, the OHA said. That's down 23 percent from last week, and down 58 percent over the past three weeks.