Johnson Memorial Health Services is actively working with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to stay prepared to manage coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
More information about coronavirus can be found on MDH’s Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) website. MDH set up a COVID-19 Hotline available Mon.-Fri.: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 1-800-657-3504.
MDH Website
Curious about COVID-19 cases in Lac qui Parle County? Countryside Public Health’s dashboard provides additional case data and shows the active cases in the five counties that they serve. It’s updated M, W & F each week. CPH Dashboard
At Johnson Memorial Health Services, we’ve taken extra steps to provide you the health care services you need in a safe environment. Your health and safety are always our top priority.
Screening prior to entry: In addition to having a single point of entry for patients at our healthcare campus we are screening every person for symptoms and risk factors prior to entering our facilities. All staff are screened at the employee entrance before they begin work. This does take extra time, but this is for the safety of our patients and our staff.
Masking policy: We now require all staff and visitors wear a mask when in our hospital, clinic, care center, and assisted living.
Facility cleansing: We’ve taken extraordinary measure to ensure our rooms, registration areas, waiting rooms and patient care areas are thoroughly sanitized and disinfected, especially in high-touch, high traffic areas such as countertops, seating and handrails.
Social distancing: Appointments are staggered to minimize the number of people during registration. In addition, we have modified our spaces to ensure patients can stand or sit at least six feet apart while waiting in lobbies or registering.
Visitor restrictions: While we currently do not have visitor restrictions, we require all visitors to follow our visitation guidelines.
In-house testing: Our facilities offer in-house testing for hospital patients who are vulnerable and show symptoms.
COVID-19 patients: We have taken extra measures to prevent the transmission of contagious diseases. Any patient experiencing COVID-19-like symptoms is seen by our COVID-19 Testing Unit.
COVID-19 symptom checker: If you think you may have symptoms of COVID-19, access our symptom checker and virtual assistant in the lower-left corner of the frontpage of our website.
- People who have symptoms of COVID-19 should get tested. Talk to your health care provider.
- In general, people who do not have symptoms should not be tested for COVID-19. However, public health may recommend that people who do not have symptoms get tested in certain situations. These could include:
- People who are told by public health workers that they were in close contact with someone known to have COVID-19 or are connected to a setting where an outbreak is occurring.
- Before certain medical procedures.
For more information visit Should I Get Tested for COVID-19? Minnesota’s screening tool to help you determine if you should be tested for COVID-19.
JMHS offers COVID-19 testing to anyone requesting to be tested. We have set up processes for testing that will limit exposure. Testing protocols have been developed by JMHS’ COVID-19 Infection Prevention Team under the recommendations provided by MDH and CDC.
Symptomatic Testing for Covid-19:
- Symptoms of COVID-19 can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, fatigue, congestion, or loss of taste or smell. Other less common symptoms include gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after you are exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.
- Not everyone with COVID-19 has all of these symptoms, and some people may not have any symptoms.
- Call 320-769-4323. A nurse will ask you several questions before determining if you need to be seen in the ER immediately or will assist in scheduling you an appointment in the Respiratory Clinic.
Asymptomatic Testing for Covid-19:
- Test 5-7 days after LAST KNOWN CONTACT with positive patient.
- Monday thru Friday 8:30am-4:30pm. Call the receptionist at 320-769-4323 to schedule a test collection.
IMPORTANT: While we understand you may want to come to your local clinic, we are asking you call 320-769-4323 before arriving at JMHS to conduct this screening process and also protect patients, residents, tenants, and staff.
Based on the severity of your symptoms, your provider may ask you to stay home and isolate yourself. Please follow these recommendations MDH Self-Isolation for Individuals Being Evaluated for CoVID-19
Respiratory drive-up clinic for pre-screened patients
JMHS is offering curbside collection in the ER parking lot for patients with a scheduled appointment who have met pre-screening requirements. If you have symptoms of respiratory illness, or have concerns about possible exposure to COVID-19, call 320-769-4323 to speak with a health professional to ensure you are directed to the correct source of care.
Abbott ID Now
This molecular test is used for ill patients requiring hospitalization. A positive result confirms infection with COVID-19. A negative result does not mean the patient does not have COVID as you can still have the virus but not shed enough for detection. Turnaround time 20 minutes.
- Specimen Collection: Nasal swab from both nares.
SARS Coronavirus 2 RNA Detection (Mayo Test)
This PCR test uses RNA strands to detect infection and is more sensitive than the ID Now (molecular) test. Swab is sent to Mayo in Rochester with variable turnaround time. We have seen results come back as soon as 48 hours and up to 5 days depending on the number of cases in the state.
- Specimen Collection: Throat swab or nasopharyngeal swab
COVID-19/SARS CoV2 IgG Ab
This is a blood antibody test used to determine if you’ve had the Coronavirus. It is intended to be used as an aid to identify individuals who have an immune response, indicating recent or prior infection with COVID-19. It is unknown as to whether you are protected from a repeat infection if you’re positive with the antibodies. Testing is only recommended in individuals at least 10 days post-symptom onset or following exposure to individuals with confirmed COVID-19. This test is available during regular clinic hours. Please call your primary care provider at 320-769-4323 if you are interested in being tested.
Following current Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines, JMHS is only able to provide COVID-19 testing to hospitalized patients, healthcare workers, and communal living residents (i.e. Care Center residents). Currently, we are screening patients for influenza who have upper respiratory symptoms that fit COVID-19 screening criteria. The cost of this screening and any other medical treatment associated would follow an individual’s active health insurance coverage. Please check your Summary of Benefits and Coverage for your plan details.
Yes, we are seeing patients. We have implemented new safety precautions to keep you safe during your visit. If you are unsure if you should come to any scheduled visit, please call your providers nurse at 320-769-4323.
JMHS has implemented telehealth services. This allows you to have a virtual visit with your medical provider. While telehealth is an exciting new option, it will not work for every visit. Please call 320-769-4323 to see if a virtual visit would would work for you. Telehealth Info