In response to the global threat of the new coronavirus, Austin-area hospitals are limiting who can come into facilities or visit patients.

Ascension Seton, one of the region’s largest hospital networks, is temporarily adding visitor restrictions at its 12 hospitals and more than 100 clinics in Central Texas, a statement from Ascension Seton says. The health care system also has one hospital in Waco that will follow the visitor restrictions.

Patient visits are being limited to two visitors per patient at any given time and visits from children younger than 14 will be up to the discretion of patients and those involved in their care.

People with any combination of the following symptoms will not be allowed to visit patients: flu-like symptoms, cough, fever, shortness of breath, a runny nose, nasal congestion or a sore throat.

People will not be allowed to visit if they have returned to the United States within 14 days of visiting a country deemed a Level 3 or Level 2 risk by the U.S. State Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Countries such as South Korea and Italy are on Level 3, which means travelers should reconsider going there. Countries such as the United Kingdom, France and Japan are on Level 2, which means travelers should exercise increased caution if going there.

"Our goal is to protect our associates and those we are privileged to serve by limiting possible exposure to novel coronavirus and directing people to the right level of care," Ascension’s statement says.

Ascension Seton clinicians and physicians are not only determining whether the use of virtual care visits for some patients is appropriate, they also are considering using phone screenings before appointments.

Patients also can speak with a doctor via video chat on Ascension Seton’s online care website. No insurance is required to use the website and patients can use the coupon code "HOME" to get a discounted rate of $20.

On Monday, new rules on access to St. David’s HealthCare facilities went into effect.

All patients and visitors entering a St. David’s HealthCare location are now being verbally screened with a three-question survey that follows CDC guidelines, St. David’s HealthCare Chief Medical Officer Ken Mitchell said in a statement.

"Our goal by taking these precautions is to ensure that our collective team remains healthy, safe and able to care for our community," Mitchell said.