TORRINGTON – Banner Health announced an updated visitation policy for its locations in Wyoming and Colorado on Dec. 29 that will allow most patients to see one visitor per day.

This visitation policy is in effect for all Banner facilities in Colorado and Wyoming, according to a press release. Visitors at Banner Health facilities, including Torrington Community Hospital and Banner Health Clinic locally, must be 12 years of age or older. 

Visitation was suspended at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in March and again in October due to positivity rates that surpassed 15% in Goshen County, according to Torrington Community Hospital CEO Zach Miller. 

“Family members and loved ones are an important part of care,” Miller said. “They take on an active role in helping their loved one when they return home, so talking with (visitors) is important.”

Patients with COVID-19 or who are suspected to have COVID-19 will not be permitted to have visitors, unless the patient is at the end of life. 

Other exceptions to the visitor restrictions include: pediatric patients may have one guardian or support individual in addition to one visitor per day, persons with disabilities who require assistance from someone can designate a support person to accompany them may have one visitor per day in addition to their support person and moms in labor and delivery may have a support person and visitor, in addition to a Doula, the release said.                                    Everyone entering a Banner Health facility will also be screened for coronavirus symptoms, according to the press release. Visiting hours will take place between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., and visitors are not permitted to enter and leave the hospital multiple times throughout the same 24-hour period. 

“We’re excited to see the trends moving in the right direction in our community and we’re hopeful that the vaccine can help us move in the right direction in 2021,” Miller said.