Avera is closing its hospitals to visitors to protect patients and staff from the spread of COVID-19. For end-of-life, births, NICU and pediatric cases, limited visitors will be allowed.

Avera’s laboratory in Sioux Falls has been verified by the South Dakota Department of Health to perform COVID-19 testing.

With the spread of COVID-19 increasing, some Avera facilities in Minnesota are taking proactive measures this week to further control traffic and limit visitors in their facilities.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19, Avera made the difficult decision to limit visitors to one visitor per stay for each patient.

Due to the spread of COVID-19 cases, Avera is postponing some elective surgical procedures. Critical procedures needed are still available.

Avera President and CEO Bob Sutton announced today the selection of Dzenan Berberovic, MA, CFRE, as the Chief Philanthropy Officer for Avera Health.

As COVID-19 cases have now been reported in this region, Avera reminds the general public of what they need to know concerning this virus.

To prevent spread of COVID-19 illness, Avera recommends “social distancing” as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).