Phoenix VA hospital to ease visitation restrictions starting Saturday

PHOENIX — As COVID-19 cases and metrics fall in Arizona, the Phoenix VA announced it will ease inpatient visitation policy starting Saturday.

Visitation hours will be Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to a press release.

In-person visitation to inpatient units was halted on Nov. 21, with the exception of end-of-life situations, as COVID-19 metrics began to spike in the state.

Only one visitor is allowed at a time and no visitors under the age of 15.

All visitors will be screened according to Centers for Disease Control guidelines and must wear a face covering at all times.

The hospital is still not allowing visitors into the COVID+ units or the community living center, according to the release.

Additional restrictions may apply and visitors are advised to check with the nurse’s station.

COVID-19 case and hospitalization numbers have fallen to pre-Thanksgiving levels in Arizona after spiking to record highs following the holidays.

Arizona’s weekly percent positivity for COVID-19 diagnostic testing, an indicator of how much the virus is spreading in the community, has also been trending downward in recent weeks.

Of the 81,434 people tested last week, 9% received a positive result, the same as the previous week, which was the lowest mark since October.

In Wednesday’s update from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, Arizona dropped a spot to 15th in the nation for COVID-19 cases per capita over the last seven days after leading the U.S. at times in January.

The VA in the release also said it still has many COVID-19 vaccine appointments available this weekend and next week for eligible veterans.

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