What to Expect at Seattle Children’s During COVID-19
Seattle Children’s is committed to keeping our patients, families and workforce members safe from exposure to COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. Here’s what you need to know about your visit to any of our locations:
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Current visitation policy
- For patients coming for a clinic visit, Urgent Care and Emergency Department: At all of our clinics, we recommend that only 1 parent or adult caregiver come with a patient to their appointment. However, up to 4 people may come to the appointment with the patient. Siblings who are younger than 1 year old can come and are not included in the total number of people allowed at the visit.
- For patients staying at the hospital overnight: Up to 4 adult caregivers are allowed in the room with the patient at a time during visiting hours and 2 overnight. Siblings who are 10 years old or older who are not sick and do not have any symptoms may visit. Siblings younger than 1 year old may visit and may stay with the caregiver(s) overnight. No other siblings may visit unless they are a designated caregiver over the age of 18.
- For patients in certain types of isolation for respiratory viruses (e.g., patients with confirmed COVID-19): Up to 4 adult caregivers may be designated as visitors but only 2 adult caregivers are allowed in a room at a time and 2 adult caregivers can stay overnight. Siblings are not allowed in these rooms unless they are 18 years or older. This includes siblings younger than 1 year old.
- For patients coming to the Surgery Center: Up to 2 parents or adult caregivers can come after the procedure to receive care instructions and take the patient home. Siblings who are younger than 1 year old can come and are not included in the total number of people allowed at the visit. No other siblings are allowed unless they are a designated caregiver over the age of 18.
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Symptom screening for patients and families
Upon arrival, patients and families are asked screening questions for signs of illness. Please contact your child’s provider if your child develops a new illness like fever, cough or runny nose before your scheduled visit.
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Masks are recommended
We recommend patients, families and visitors wear a medical mask in all areas of the hospital and clinics. Masks are required in Seattle Children’s Emergency Department waiting areas. You should also wear a mask if you have respiratory symptoms like coughing, sneezing, sore throat, runny nose or fever. We will have masks available as you enter if you do not have your own mask.
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COVID-19 screenings for patients with a planned surgery, procedure or hospital stay
A member of our team will contact patients and conduct a phone screening to determine if COVID-19 testing is required before a procedure or admission. If testing is required, we will coordinate and inform you of next steps.
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Symptom screening for staff and faculty
Staff follow our standard work restriction policy as it applies to them if they are ill. This means they should not come to work if they have certain respiratory symptoms.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
We offer COVID-19 vaccines to our patients staying in the hospital or coming for a clinic visit at our Seattle Children’s hospital campus in Seattle and Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic (OBCC). Ask the care team about a COVID-19 vaccine for your child.
- Learn more about our COVID-19 vaccine offerings through OBCC.
- To find a COVID-19 vaccine site in the community, check out Vaccines.gov.
COVID-19 Testing Information
Seattle Children’s offers COVID-19 testing for patients ages 20 and under in certain instances. Learn more about COVID-19 testing at Seattle Children's and in the community.
Patient and Family Resources
- Family and Visitor Guidelines (PDF) (Arabic) (French) (Simplified Chinese) (Russian) (Somali) (Spanish) (Vietnamese)
- Pre-Appointment Testing for COVID-19 (PDF) (Arabic) (Simplified Chinese) (Russian) (Somali) (Spanish) (Vietnamese)
Last updated on December 5, 2024