Visitor Restrictions Extended at Gift of Life Transplant Center

The restrictions are being extended through the end of the month

Pandemic has put many elective medical procedures on hold... but it hasn't stopped doctors from performing life-saving organ transplants.

Those patients and their caregivers need a safe place to stay while they wait.

Kimt news three's calyn thompson is looking into how one lodge in rochester is ensuring that safety.

She joins us live now to explain.xxx live lowerthird2line talent coronavirus:calyn thompson cthompson@kimt.com coverage you can count on amy - there have been restrictions on who can go in and out of these doors at the gift of life transplant house since the pandemic started.

Now - those restrictions are being extended through the end of the month.

Gift of life-live vo-1 lowerthird2line coronavirus:visitor restrictions extended rochester, mn i'm told no visitors are allowed on campus - including both inside and outside of the buildings.

Between the two buildings - they can hold up to 168 guests.

Right now - they're at nearly half that.

Executive director mary wilder tells me safety and providing a stress-free environment for these vulnerable people are their top priorities.xxx gift of life-live sot-1 lowerthird2line coronavirus:mary wilder executive director, gift of life transplant house but when you're taking medication already that is lowering your immune system, and you're surrounded by a situation where you could become infected with this illness at any moment it's extremely stressful gift of life-live sot-3 in addition to the visitor restrictions... i'm told all staff - guests - and caregivers are wearing masks.

Also - staff members are going through the house every hour and sanitizing high-touch surfaces.

Live in rochester, calyn thompson, kimt news 3.

/ thank you calyn.

The gift of life transplant house has increased bandwidth to ensure their guests have access to internet and video chat platforms - so they can keep in touch with loved ones.

/