As of March 12, all routine visiting will be suspended at Swedish hospital campuses — which include Eastside locations in Redmond and Issaquah — until further notice.

“Swedish cares about the health and well-being of our patients and caregivers,” a press release from the health care provider states. “Given that COVID-19 is circulating in our community, we must ensure the safety of our facilities and our ability to care for as many patients as possible. Safety is our top priority during this time.”

Additionally, visitors will not be allowed for patients under evaluation for COVID-19 or who have tested positive, the release states. Until COVID-19 no longer poses a public health threat, all patients and visitors will be screened.

Exceptions to the new visitor policy include the following:

Emergency department patients may have one support person.

Children under the age of 18 may have an advocate, parent or guardian. Underage siblings are not permitted to visit.

Neonatal intensive care units may have a parent, plus one significant other who must remain in the room for the duration of the visit. Only the mother and the fourth band holder may stay during their infant’s stay in the unit. The fourth band holder may be the other parent, a family member or friend selected by the mother. No other visitors will be granted access to the unit during this time including siblings and grandparents, the release states. Once the individual selected is banded as the fourth band holder, the hospital cannot make changes.

Obstetrics patients may have one partner and one birth support person. The support person may either be a family member or a doula. These two visitors must remain with the patient during the stay. Multiple visitors will not be able to rotate, according to the release. The support person must be at least 18 years of age. The second parent of the baby may be present regardless of age.

Long-term antepartum patients (seven days or greater length of stay) may arrange a one-hour visit one time a week for their own children to visit in the patient room only.

Patients who are end of life may have two visitors.

Patients with confusion, altered mental status, developmental delays or agitation, where a family member or advocate can provide safety and support, may have one advocate/support person.

Surgical or procedural patients may have one escort/support person; however, will be asked to leave as soon as possible after the surgery/procedure, the release states.

Clinic, laboratory or radiology patients who have appointments at the hospital or attached hospital-based clinics, may have one person escort them.

Patients who require an escort for assistance related to mobility, interpretation or health care decision making may have one additional assistance person.

Advocates, parents and visitors who meet the above criteria must also comply with the following instructions:

No visitors may be under 18 years of age unless specified above.

Visitors must be free of fever (by report or measured, if available) or acute severe cough or shortness of breath.

Except for transit to and from, visitors are to stay in the patient’s room for the duration of their visit.

Visitors must follow staff instructions regarding handwashing and the use of personal protective equipment.

“We appreciate the public’s help in keeping patients, visitors and caregivers safe,” the press release states.

For more COVID-19 information, visit www.swedish.org/patient-visitor-info/coronavirus-advisory.