Introduction
When an epidemic shifts into the community transmission phase, it is important to maintain appropriate measures to reduce transmission within the hospital.
A. Ensure isolation wards and hospital operations for COVID-19 suspected and confirmed cases are maintained separately from routine hospital operations
B. Visitors to the hospital for non-COVID-19 patients
- All visitors should be screened at entry point according to guidelines
- The health facilities should adopt restricted visitation policies in ALL wards
- Restrict visitation to one person for patients who require visitation for food or assistance with activities of daily living
C. Visitors should not be permitted in COVID-19 isolation wards
D. Additional staff may be needed to help care for basic patient needs
E. Minimize staff gatherings
- Avoid large gatherings of staff in confined spaces, including staff meetings, meal times, or congregating at nurses’ stations
- Consider holding staff meetings outdoors where there can be ample space between people
- Consider rotating meal times to avoid crowds in dining areas