NY Dad Hides COVID-19 Symptoms to Visit Wife Giving Birth

Local hospitals have put a 'no visitor policy' into place to help flatten the COVID-19 curve. But in some cases, people just don't know when to stay away, or think the rules don't apply to them.

The Democrat and Chronicle in Rochester reports a man who had been exposed to the coronavirus, and was himself feeling sick, hid his symptoms from staff at Strong Memorial Hospital so he could join his expectant wife in the maternity center. He was considered her "support individual," permitted to be present during labor, and throughout the post-partum period until discharge.

What made him confess? After his wife gave birth, she too started displaying symptoms.

UR Medicine spokesman Chip Partner said their visitor policy was purely on an honor system. Now they're checking temperatures of all visitors. He also said due to privacy laws, whether the mother, father or newborn actually developed COVID-19 could not be disclosed.

Did the husband not realize he was putting everyone at risk? Not only his wife and newborn child, but the staff at the hospital who deal with other patients daily?

Maternity staff at the hospital were informed of the potential exposure but were allowed to continue working as long as they remained asymptomatic, Partner said. They were instructed to wear masks at all times and to take their temperatures throughout their shift.

The CDC's main piece of advice is to STAY HOME. It's time people start listening so we can get back to our lives.