CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland Clinic has announced on Tuesday that its visitation process for all Ohio locations has changed due to rising cases in COVID-19.

All of Cleveland Clinic's Ohio locations will change from level ORANGE to level RED, meaning adults who stay in any of the clinic's Ohio locations will only be able to have one designated visitor for their entire hospital stay. 

Only one designated person can visit every day and it must be the same person each time. Visitors must be age 18 or over. Those coming in for routine appointments can also have one designated person come with them each time.

The clinic will consider compassionate exceptions in certain situations to allow for more than one designated visitor.

These will be determined on a case-by-case basis, but according to Cleveland Clinic Project Manager IV and Public & Media Relations Ellie Westerberg, examples include the end of a life or when a patient is receiving a life-changing diagnosis. 

Social distancing is required at all locations and appropriate protective equipment must be worn in order for visitations to continue. This includes when the visitor is in the patient's room.

When visiting a patient with COVID-19, visitors must wear personal protective equipment including a face mask, a gown, goggles or a face shield and gloves. This equipment, as well as instructions on how to put it on and take it off will be provided to visitors of COVID-positive patients.