COVID surge forces no visitor policy at SCBHS

By Reed Anfinson
Publisher
With COVID-19 cases surging in rural Minnesota, Swift County-Benson Health Services (SCBHS) is once again implementing a no visitor policy.
The number of COVID-19 cases and the positivity rate in the Benson community is at an all-time high, SCBHS said in a statement last Friday. The restrictions went into effect last Friday.
Exceptions to the policy will be allowed for patients and visitors experiencing specific situations including:
• End of life
• Critically ill
• One parent/legal guardian of a minor patient
• Legal guardian of an adult with cognitive/developmental disabilities
• High-risk procedures requiring in-person discussions about care and informed consent.
“We appreciate your support as we implement these changes,” SCBHS Chief Nursing and Clinical Officer and Co-CEO McGinty-Thompson said. “We understand this is difficult for families, but it is needed to keep patients and staff safe and to prevent the further spread of any illness.”
“Please help decrease the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” she said. COVID-19 vaccinations are now available to anyone age 5 and older at the SCBHS clinic. To schedule a COVID-19 vaccine, call 320-843-2030. SCBHS provides the Pfizer vaccine.
There is little doubt that November 2021 is going to be at least the second worst month for COVID-19 cases for Swift County since the deadly virus struck in April 2020. It could become the worst at its current pace.
In November 2020, the county saw 368 cases of COVID-19, the highest number record locally since the first case was confirmed back on April 6, 2020. December 2020 saw the second highest number of cases with 184.
With 182 cases through the first 15 Minnesota Department of Health reporting days this month, it was likely that number was exceeded Tuesday.
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