CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Tennova Healthcare in Clarksville has restricted patient visitors at its ER facilities due to an uptick in COVID-19 cases and flu locally.

This change is effective immediately, and it will be implemented at both the main hospital campus on Dunlop Lane and the freestanding emergency department in Sango, according to a post from the hospital’s Facebook page.

While no visitors will be allowed in the ER, there are a few exceptions: One visitor will be allowed to accompany pediatric patients under the age of 18, one will be allowed if their presence is vital to the care of the patient, and one will be allowed at the patient’s end of life.

According to data from the Clarksville-Montgomery County COVID-19 Dashboard Hub, local COVID-19 cases have more than doubled in the last 10 days.

On Dec. 19, there were 536 active cases in Montgomery County;  as of Dec. 28, there were 1,194.

As cases have increased, so has the number of inpatients receiving treatment at Tennova who are COVID-19 positive.

“In both November and December, our daily average was 13 COVID positive inpatients, and we are currently caring for 22,” Sandy Wooten, director of marketing and public relations at Tennova in Clarksville, said on Thursday.

It’s important to note however that this number includes any patients who have tested positive for COVID, regardless of the initial reason behind their admission.

Wooten added that despite the uptick in illness, the hospital remains prepared to treat all who need care.

“We are sustaining care for all patients who come to us for their medical needs and we encourage the public not to delay seeking care in a medical emergency,” Wooten told Clarksville Now.

The hospital’s capacity changes throughout the day based on admissions, discharges and staffing – but Wooten added Tennova is facing challenges related to staff members who are required to isolate because of exposure to COVID-19.

And this coupled with the increase in individuals seeking care at the hospital has changed the way patients are being treated, but Wooten did not say how.

“Like many hospitals across the country, we have several members of our caregiving team unavailable to work due to exposure to COVID and other illnesses unique to this time of year. This is impacting patient flow throughout the hospital,” Wooten said.