ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Two Rochester Hospitals are suspending visitation now that the city has been designated an orange zone by the state.

UR Medicine says Strong Memorial Hospital and Highland Hospital are implementing zero visitation in accordance with the state's micro-cluster regulations.

Highland Hospital's visitation ban goes into effect at 8 p.m. Tuesday, while the policy will take effect at Strong on Wednesday at 8 p.m.

The move comes as the city tries to reverse course and move out of an orange zone micro cluster designation.

When it comes to elective surgeries, University of Rochester Medical Center leaders say they're meeting every day to discuss their status.

"And if admissions with COVID as they have for the last two weeks, we anticipate that in the next week or so, we may have to curtail some of our elective surgeries. We trying to do everything we can to prevent that and that's why we're pleading with families, patients, the community to really double down, get their second wind, mask, socially distance and prevent the spread of this disease," said Strong Memorial Hospital chief medical officer Dr. Michael Apostolakos. 

Spectrum News is told space will be maintained for emergency and urgent surgeries.

There will be exceptions according to this statement released on Tuesday afternoon:

"Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, UR Medicine has followed county and state Department of Health guidance on hospital visitation to protect patients, visitors and staff. Both Strong Memorial Hospital and Highland Hospital are in the newly designated “orange” micro-cluster the state identified on 11/23. The shift from yellow to orange in Monroe County signifies a concerning rise in the number of COVID-19 cases. Both hospitals will enact zero visitation to adhere to state mandates and help flatten the curve in our community. There will be exceptions, such as for pediatric patients, OB patients during labor and postpartum, patients with cognitive issues, and compassionate care for patients in hospice/end of life. We recognize the importance of visitors to our patients’ well-being, and look forward to being able to resume limited in-person visitation as soon as it is safe to do so."

— University of Rochester Medical Center