Cedar Rapids hospitals adjust visitor rules, relax some COVID pandemic guidelines

CEDAR RAPIDS — Starting Monday, hospitalized patients at both Cedar Rapids hospitals may be able to have more visitors as officials relax certain pandemic guidelines.

UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Hospital and Mercy Medical Center announced joint adjustments to visitor guidelines, allowing patients up to four visitors. Previously, only two were allowed at a time.

The move comes as coronavirus case counts continue to drop over the past several weeks statewide. Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week shows Linn County — along with most of Eastern Iowa — has a “low” level of COVID-19 transmission.

However, certain restrictions will remain. Both hospitals require visitors to be 12 or older, with exceptions made for siblings of patients at the birthplace unit.

Detailed hospital visitor policies can be found on each hospital’s website.

St. Luke’s visiting hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. Visiting hours at Mercy are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

All visitors must be in good health, and must screen in and wear a mask while in the hospital.

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