Due to the local positivity rates of COVID-19 as well as the increasing rate of COVID-19 admissions, Cape Fear Valley Health System’s facilities and Womack Army Medical Center are restricting visitation.

At Cape Fear Valley Health, patients who have not tested positive for COVID-19 will be allowed one visitor per day, between the hours of noon to 8 p.m. COVID-19 patients will be allowed one visitor per day, for one hour between 4 to 8 p.m.

In the Emergency Department, visitors will not be allowed in the waiting room, but one visitor will be allowed once the patient has been given a room. Visitors to patients in the Emergency Department will not be allowed to leave and return. All visitors will be screened with a brief verbal questionnaire and a temperature scan before being allowed entry. Those who refuse to answer the questions or who have a temperature above 100.3 Fahrenheit will be denied entry.

“We are watching the trend of the inpatient COVID-19 cases at Cape Fear Valley as well as tracking the spread in the community on an ongoing basis and adjusting visitation policies accordingly,” Chief Operating Officer Daniel Weatherly said. “The hospital will provide visitors with a mask that must be worn during their entire visit. We also encourage everyone in the community to get vaccinated, and get their booster shot when it’s due, to help our healthcare heroes as we fight this pandemic into its third year.”

At Womack, all visitors are restricted except for pediatric patients, one-support person for women in labor, and for those in extenuating circumstances. This restriction for in-patient services will remain in place until further notice.

"WAMC remains committed to protecting our patients, beneficiaries, healthcare providers, and staff; maintaining mission readiness; and supporting the whole-of-government effort response to COVID-19," the press release stated.