Local area hospitals are suspending visitors for inpatient visitors as COVID cases continue to increase across central Illinois. Decatur Memorial Hospital and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospitals suspended visitors starting on Saturday to protect patients and ensure healthcare professionals can continue to safely care for their patients.

Macon County has the fifth-highest rate of COVID in the state and visitors for inpatients will also be suspended at HSHS St.

John’s Hospital and Memorial Medical Center starting on Monday. The hospitals will allow exceptions with approval in limited circumstances in areas such as the emergency departments, obstetrics, pediatrics, certain outpatient procedures, and surgeries. The hospital is also making exceptions for end-of-life care or to support a patient with an intellectual disability. More detailed information can be found on individual hospital websites.

If you are visiting the hospital, you will be asked to wear a face mask that covers both your nose and mouth at all times when you’re in the hospital and the hospitals are working on providing more pertinent information to patients and families using telephones or video methods when possible.  

Restrictions will continue to be evaluated as the COVID-19 situation evolves.