OTTAWA — To protect patients, family members, and staff from the spread of infectious conditions, OSF HealthCare Saint Elizabeth and Saint Paul Medical Centers are postponing all volunteer services and asking the public to limit visits as a precautionary measure.

Effective immediately, the OSF Saint Elizabeth Care-A-Van patient transportation services in Ottawa are suspended. This volunteer-based program provides transportation for patients who live within eight miles of the hospital, to and from scheduled appointments. At this time, transportation services offered in Ottawa for OSF Rehabilitation patients are available.

Patients in need of transportation services are encouraged to schedule a ride with an area public transportation provider, such as North Central Area Transit (NCAT) at (833) 433-6228 and Mendota Area Senior Services (MASS) at 815-539-7700.

Also, the following patient and visitor restrictions are in effect:

We recommend only one guest accompany patients presenting at an OSF HealthCare facility for services.

Visitors should be at least 18 years of age and older. This will minimize exposure of patients to children, who are known to be high risk for transmission of viral infections and will protect children from contracting an illness while visiting the hospital.  

Please do not visit hospitalized patients if you are not feeling well, particularly if you have had flu-like symptoms during the past seven days. Symptoms include a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, cough, and/or sore throat.  

To limit exposure, we recommend each hospitalized patient designates one visitor during their stay. End of life situations will receive special accommodations.

For more information on novel coronavirus (COVID-19), including frequently asked questions, please visit our COVID-19 digital health hub: www.osfhealthcare.org/covid19/.