No visitors allowed at Allina Health facilities due to COVID-19 safety issues

In order to keep patients and employees safe, Allina Health says, as of Tuesday, Jan. 11, no visitors will be allowed at its facilities, with limited exceptions.

Allina Health officials say this is part of its "Red Visitor Status," adding that Allina "has never seen a community illness impact patients and staff to the levels COVID-19 is currently."

According to the company, during the first five days of 2022, an average of more than 100 staff members were removed from work each day because they were COVID-19 positive, or were waiting for tests and test results. A graphic from Allina Health showing the staffing impact can be found below.

If you do qualify for a visitor exception, Allina Health says the following guidelines will be in place:

• Visitors will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and must pass the screening in order to be allowed to visit or accompany a patient.
• Regardless of vaccination status, a mask must be worn at all times, as well as a screening sticker and visitor badge. You may also be asked to wear additional personal protective equipment.
• Follow all protocols requested by staff, such as physical distancing, hand hygiene and waiting outside of a room or building.
• Children ages 5-17 who visit must be from the same household as the patient and accompanied by an adult who isn’t the patient, with some exceptions. CLICK HERE to learn about those exceptions.

Allina Health is also asking community members to get vaccinated, as well as get the booster COVID-19 shot, wear a mask, practice social distancing and get tested for COVID-19 if you feel sick.