Based on the current declining trend of Williams County’s transmission levels and respiratory viruses, wearing masks is optional at CHWC facilities, effective March 1, 2023.

CHWC’s masking policy follows guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and recommendations from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which are based on county transmission levels. Recently, Williams County transmission levels have been below “High” for the last two weeks, which gives us hope that we and surrounding counties are on a continued downward trend in terms of COVID infections. Masking decisions based on COVID-19 transmission are subject to change at any time, and county transmission levels are updated each week.

In the event that the transmission levels increase back to sustained “High” category, masking would once again be required at our facilities. You can check the transmission levels using the following link: CDC COVID Data Tracker: County View.

Anyone who is more comfortable wearing a mask at CHWC’s facilities are encouraged to do so, and masks will remain available at CHWC’s entrances.

Visitation Information:

• Visitors are asked to self-screen; if they are sick/exhibit symptoms of infectious illness, if they have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days or if they have had recent close exposure to someone with COVID-19, they should refrain from visiting patients in our facilities.
• Visitors must be ages 12+.
• For non-COVID and non-New Beginnings Birthing Center patients, two visitors are allowed at a time in a patient’s room.
• COVID patients may have two dedicated visitors per hospital stay; these visitors are required to wear appropriate PPE while visiting.
• Non-COVID patients in New Beginnings Birthing Center are permitted two dedicated visitors. Siblings may visit once during the hospital stay. COVID-positive patients in New Beginnings are permitted one adult visitor, who is required to wear appropriate PPE while visiting.