As Mayo Clinic Health System continues to monitor the outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease), the ongoing safety of our patients, staff and communities remains our primary focus. To protect our patients and staff, Mayo Clinic Health System is putting additional visitor restrictions in place for our facilities in Southeast Minnesota.

Effective now, hospitalized patients will no longer be permitted to have visitors.

Compassionate exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis, including births and end-of-life care, among other specific circumstances. All visitors granted exceptions will be screened prior to entry; those who screen positive for respiratory illness will be prohibited from visiting. No visitors under the age of 18 will be allowed.

These visitor restrictions will remain in place until further notice. We encourage family members to consider other ways to connect with their loved ones via phone, text, social media or video chats.

We understand that these restrictions will be difficult for patients and their loved ones. We are taking these necessary steps to protect our patients and our staff. As always, the needs of our patients come first.

Mayo has also announced that for the safety of patients and shoppers at Hy-Vee locations, it is temporarily closing the Express Care sites in Albert Lea and Austin Hy-Vee locations effective now.

Mayo Clinic Health System has options for care that do not require a visit to the clinic including:

•Message your care team through your Patient Online Services account.

•Express Care Online offers virtual care for 20 conditions. Log in to your Patient Online Services account through the Mayo Clinic Health System website or the Mayo Clinic App. Regular hours are 8 a.m.to 7 p.m., although you can access Express Care Online 24/7 year-round. If you submit your questionnaire during regular business hours, you’ll receive an answer within one hour. If it’s after hours, you’ll be contacted by 9 a.m. the next day.

Please visit our Mayo Clinic Health System COVID-19 online resource site (www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/covid19) for contact information and the most up-to-the-minute information about COVID-19 and what to do if you have symptoms or unrelated health care needs. You can also view updates via Mayo Clinic Health System’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels.