US man concealed coronavirus symptoms to visit wife in hospital maternity ward
A US man with symptoms consistent with coronavirus concealed them from hospital staff in order to visit his wife in the maternity ward.
The New York man admitted to hiding his symptoms shortly after his wife showed signs of the virus, days within giving birth.
The couple, who welcomed their child last week, were at the Strong Memorial Hospital in Northern New York state city, Rochester.
New York currently has citywide restrictions calling for people to stay indoors and maintain social distancing. AP/AAP
It remains unclear whether the parents or their newborn have tested positive for COVID-19, as the information could not be disclosed due to privacy laws.
The man's actions raise the question of whether stricter actions need to be implemented in hospital visitation rights, in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 and prevent its exposure to vulnerable patients.
While hospitals have gone to great lengths to ensure safe facilities for sick members of the community, even banning partners and family entirely from being in the birthing room, the Strong Memorial Hospital previously worked on an "honour system" for visitors.
Getty Images/iStockphoto
Visitation rights were restricted and afforded to parents with a hospitalised child, people with a loved one with a terminal condition, and one partner to assist during birth.
Upon arrival, visitors were initially questioned whether they'd been in proximity to anyone with COVID-19 or harboured any symptoms.
"Now we're adding the temperature check," UR Medicine spokesman Chip Partner told the Democrat and Chronicle.
Hospital staff were informed of the incident and told to start screening all visitors for symptoms, including taking their temperatures.
The stricter measures include checks for signs of fever and shortness of breath, conducted upon entry and every 12 hours for as long as the visitor remains in the hospital.
Tips for self-isolation as the coronavirus spreads. Nine
The UR Medicine staff stated on their website they "have implemented a zero-visitation policy to further our efforts to protect patients and staff from the spread of COVID-19."
As coronavirus cases ramp up in the State of New York, some hospitals have announced a blanket ban to all visitors in maternity wards.
Governor Andrew Cuomo condemned the move, tweeting, "In no hospital in New York will a woman be forced to be alone when she gives birth. Not now, not ever."
In Australia, currently one spouse, partner or support person is permitted in the delivery room.
There are currently 186,046 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United States, 75,795 of which are in New York.
