Mayo Clinic Health System locations in Southwest Wisconsin will begin allowing patients one designated visitor starting Jan. 4, after months of COVID-19 related restrictions.
Mayo hospitals in La Crosse and Sparta, as well clinic buildings in La Crosse, Onalaska, Holmen, Sparta, Tomah, Arcadia, Prairie du Chien and Caledonia, will permit one visitor per patient between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. or normal clinic business hours.
Visitors must be 16 or older and wear a face covering while on the premises. Visitors also will be screened for symptoms of acute respiratory illness or communicable infection prior to entry. Visitors will not be permitted for those being treated in the COVID-19 units.
“With local data showing COVID numbers stabilizing, and with vaccinations underway, we felt (it appropriate) at this time to allow one visitor per patient,” said Jason Fratzke, chief of nursing operations and COVID-19 Incident commander for Mayo Clinic Health System Southwest Wisconsin.
“We understand that the previous restrictions have been difficult on our patients, their families, and our staff to enforce. We must remind everyone that making this decision doesn’t mean the end to this pandemic is here yet. We ask everyone to continue taking the necessary steps to protect themselves and their loved ones so that we don’t see another spike of cases. We will always keep in mind that we are entrusted with protecting the lives of our patients and our staff.”
Under the new visitor guidelines, one support person can remain throughout the hospital stay for obstetrical patients, and one visitor is allowed at the Stephen and Barbara Slaggie Family Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. The chemotherapy treatment room will remain at a no visitor policy at this time.
Patients coming to the emergency room will be allowed a designated visitor unless the patient or visitor presents with any symptoms possibly related to COVID-19. The new visitor restrictions will remain in place until further notice.
“We will monitor and make further adjustments as this pandemic continues,” Fratzke says. “We encourage family members to consider other ways to connect with their loved ones via phone, text, social media or video chats.”
Jim Falls, Wis.
My granddaughter Johana and I - Getting through COVID-19 pandemic - "We can do it!"
La Crescent, MInn.
This is my 3 year old son Julian. I like to get my kids their favorite color and/or character to make it a little more fun to wear.
Working at the Tomah VA serving our Veterans during this pandemic!
In My Family We all Wear Our Masks Cindy And Baby V
mask made by fellow West Salem High School chemistry teacher
La Crosse punk
"My band had some masks printed to add to our merchandise line-up! Zammek - La Crosse Punk"
Lace for a lady
Caring for the community
A retired state social worker and her daughter who is a public school teacher say, “wearing masks when out and about is a simple and loving thing to do for your community.”
A mask with bling
Fancy that - a mask with bling!
Dinner guests
Having dinner guests together at home. Left to right, Don Smith, Mary Rohrer, and Nancy Korn Smith. We asked our readers to show off their masks for all to see. Use a form at https://go.lacrossetribune.com/Photos and send photos our way. We’ll put them in galleries that we will share on social media, and we’ll publish some of them in our papers.
A Friendly smile
"I intended this to my likeness and a friendly everyday mask. I was disappointed when i received it. Frankly, it's ridiculous...so I'll give readers a good laugh."
October 6: GIrls WIAA Division 2 sectional golf
Aquinas’ Alexis Smith hits an approach shot at the WIAA Division 2 girls golf sectional at Drugan’s Castle Mound in Holmen.
October 2: Edgar vs Onalaska
The Onalaska dance team performs at halftime.
October 2: Edgar vs Onalaska
Masked spectators watch the game.
September 22: Aquinas vs Onalaska
JB Weiser makes a save for Aquinas.
September 17: Westby vs Aquinas
Aquinas’ Lauren Kelsey, left, and Victoria Nolte attempt a block on Westby’s Macy Stellner.
September 17: Westby vs Aquinas
Aquinas’ Victoria Nolte serves.
September 17: Westby vs Aquinas
The Westby tem celebrates a point won.
Holmen school lunches
Heather Mathwig, right, and Analise Smith with the Holmen School District Nutrition Department bag individual pizzas at Holmen Middle School.
Noodles & Company
Menche Evans cooks in the kitchen at the new Noodles & Company in Onalaska.
September 10: Dover-Eyota vs. La Crescent-Hokah
La Crescent-Hokah girls soccer head coach Jake Smith talks with player Olivia Meyer.
Onalaska Football
Onalaska head coach Tom Yashinsky runs football practice.
College during COVID
Western Technical College student Emery Thompson has his temperature taken by human resources department employee Jackie Kettner before entering the bookstore.
College during COVID
Face mask wearing students walk to and from classes on the first day of the fall semester on the UW-La Crosse campus.
Vice President Pence at Dairyland
Attendees give applause during the "A Stronger America Workforce" event at Dairyland Power Cooperative.
Vice President Pence at Dairyland
A woman in attendance for the "A Stronger America Workforce" event at Dairyland Power Cooperative with Vice President Mike Pence wears a patriotic facemask.
Scooping up smiles
Marty Diersen with the Sweet Shop hands a cone to Joy Benson, a member of Logan High School’s class of 1969, dressed as the children’s book character Raggedy Ann.
Emily Pyrek can be reached at emily.pyrek@lee.net.
"We understand that the previous restrictions have been difficult on our patients, their families, and our staff to enforce. We must remind everyone that making this decision doesn’t mean the end to this pandemic is here yet."
Jason Fratzke, chief of nursing operations
Emily Pyrek
Community health reporter
Emily Pyrek covers health and human interest stories for the La Crosse Tribune.
