COVID-19 Update

• Most cases of COVID-19 will not mean hospitalization, or even a trip to an emergency room. Hospital care is a precious resource that needs to be reserved for those with the most serious symptoms.
• Follow the advice of public health to prevent infection, these are common sense steps like washing your hands, not touching your face, staying home when you are sick, coughing or sneezing into a tissue and throwing that tissue away.
• If you are sick, stay home and manage your symptoms as you would any cold.
• If your symptoms become worse, call your primary care provider.
• Continue to see your provider for regularly scheduled visits to address your other health care needs. Do not neglect your existing needs.
• Masks alone will not prevent you from getting the virus. They can help prevent the spread of the illness, because they stop big droplets from sneezes and coughing from becoming airborne or contaminating surfaces.

Most COVID-19 cases have been mild. This means, a majority of people have experienced cold or flu-like symptoms. However, what is more important is to take measures to prevent the spread. Your mild symptoms could cause severe symptoms for someone else who is more vulnerable.

To reduce your risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19 we ask that you take the following precautions in your day-to-day life:

• Wash your hands regularly. You should be washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Keep household cleaners such as bleach wipes or alcohol wipes on hand. Wipe surfaces in your home or office regularly as the virus can live on surfaces for a period of time. Even soap and water can do the trick if you do not have wipes available to you.
• Practice good respiratory etiquette; cough into your elbow instead of spewing virus-laden particles into the air.
• If you are sick – any kind of sick – please self-isolate. This means staying home and away from other people.
• Make sure to stay 6 feet from people and wear a mask to help protect others.

If you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 and feel you need to be seen, please call your primary care provider before going to a clinic. This includes any regularly scheduled appointments you may have. You will be instructed on what you should do upon arrival to the clinic. You will be required to wear a mask before entering any of our facilities and masks will be available at the entrance.

Please continue to see your primary care provider for your regularly scheduled visits. Do not neglect your healthcare needs. We are also making other adjustments to our services:

• Davenport, Reardan, and Wilbur Clinics: The clinics are open during our regular business hours, Monday - Friday, 9am - 4:30pm. We are usually able to accommodate same-day appointments. If you need accommodations for your appointment, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. If symptoms are present, the patient's primary care provider will be notified and they will make a recommendation for care.

Transitional Care Unit and Acute Care Unit (Inpatient)

• The visitation hours are 9am - 9pm.
• COVID patients are not able to have visitors at this time, except for end of life situations.
• While in the facility, visitors should remain in the designated patient room or waiting area.
• Children may visit with adult supervision.
• If assistance is needed, the visitor can use the call bell to contact the staff if in a patient room or the phone if in a waiting room.

Emergency Department, Outpatient Nursing, Surgery and Pain Clinic

• The family of the Emergency Department, Outpatient Nursing, Surgery and Pain Clinic patients can use the Family Room or the designated waiting area for the service.
• If assistance is needed, the family should use the phone located in the waiting room and call for assistance.
• A phone extension list will be available by the waiting area phones at all times.

Our cafe, located in Lincoln Hospital, is open to the public.