LincolnHealth reported four straight weeks of no new COVID-19 cases July 13. The last positive test was recorded June 14 and the last stretch of no new positive cases was May-June in 2020.

LincolnHealth’s John Martins said all COVID-19 vaccine administration has been successfully transferred to physician offices and 19 first doses and 28 second doses were administered the week of July 5. Martins said visitor restrictions in the hospital have been loosened as a result: only two visitors at a time with no time limit or cap on the amount of visitors from noon to 7 p.m. Previously, rules were only two visitors a day for a maximum of a three-hour visit.

Masks are still required in the hospital and in doctors’ offices, but cloth masks are now acceptable without a blue surgical mask over them and gaiters and cloth masks with ventilator ports are not allowed, said Martins. Anyone entering the hospital or primary care offices should continue to review the self-screening questions posted at all building entrances.

“These changes do not relate to senior living, where the standards remain screening at entry, procedural masks and temperature checks,” Martins said.

LincolnHealth is also developing workflows allowing a transition from the Respiratory Care Clinic to Watson Health Center in the near future, said Martins. More pop-up clinics are being planned as well.

Said Martins, “It’s great to be sharing such positive news these days, but we still encourage people who have not been vaccinated to reach out to their primary care provider to get vaccinated.”