Washington County Hospital and Clinics has implemented visitor restrictions. According to WCHC the restrictions are at both the hospital and McCreedy Home “due to increased seasonal flu and cold activity, this preventative measure also serves to address concerns of the novel coronavirus 2019.” In an effort to protect patients, family members, and staff, patient visitors are limited to immediate family and children under the age of 18 should not visit. Anyone with any flu-like symptoms including cough, runny nose, fever, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea should postpone visits until you have been symptom free for more than 24 hours.

Washington County Public Health Director Danielle Pettit-Majewski shares how the general public can protect themselves and limit the spread of illness, “Wash your hands, soap and water, that’s really all you need. You do not need to stockpile hand sanitizer. I mean, I also want to stress to people that we do not want people to panic. You do not need to wear a mask in the general public. I advise against that because they are difficult to find for healthcare professionals and those resources will be needed for people who are caring for the sick. So, there’s no need for the general public to be wearing a mask.”

Wash your hands for 20 seconds, contain illness by staying home when you’re sick, cover coughs and sneezes. It’s also advised to avoid touching your face, and disinfect high-traffic surfaces like light switches, doorknobs, and phones.

Anyone experiencing cough, fever, or shortness of breath that has recently traveled or have been in contact with someone confirmed to have COVID-19, is asked to call their healthcare provider before being seen for care. WCHC advises it’s best to call ahead before going to the clinic or the emergency room, as there are specific protocols in place to evaluate patients and helps staff direct patients to the most appropriate care.