Washington County Hospital and Clinics has implemented a respiratory triage clinic amid concern of novel coronavirus. The clinic will exclusively see sick patients who are reporting fever, cough, and shortness of breath. It is located in the Medical Clinic at 444 East Polk Street and officially opened March 18th.

Patients should call WCHC Family Medicine (319-653-7291) to schedule an appointment to be seen at the Respiratory Triage Clinic. Patients will be required to stay in their vehicle until a staff member approaches them with additional instructions. Some evaluation and testing may be done at the patient’s car. Unless absolutely necessary, any support person or family member should remain in the car when the patient enters the facility for further evaluation by a provider.

Also, increased visitor restrictions have been put in place at WCHC to ensure the safety of patients and decrease the potential for exposure of COVID-19. Visitors of hospitalized patients are limited to immediate family over the age of 18. All visitors should check-in at the main registration desk. Any visitors with symptoms including fever, cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, diarrhea, or vomiting must not visit until they have been symptom free for more than 72 hours. McCreedy Home on the WCHC campus has restricted all visitors except for end-of-life situations. Family and friends are encouraged to communicate with residents by phone, text, email, or video calls.

Additional measures at WCHC include cancelling public meetings at WCHC facilities, closing the cafeteria to the public, and those who use the hospital’s hallways for walking are asked to find an alternate location.

WCHC is encouraging people with a fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath to stay home and self-isolate and if concerned with symptoms call ahead before going to the clinic or emergency room. WCHC has limited capability to test for COVID-19. Calling ahead helps staff direct patients to the most appropriate care and allows for precautions to protect patients, staff, and the community.