Johnson Memorial Health Services (JMHS) 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). As COVID-19 evolves and spreads, JMHS is taking precautions to protect our patients, residents, tenants, and staff. Following CDC recommendations, JMHS has closed the Care Center, Assisted Living, and Hospital to visitors. JMHS is limiting visitors into the campus to combat the spread of the disease and protect the health and welfare of our residents, tenants, and patients. In addition, JMHS is requiring all employees to be screened each day before they begin work.
JMHS strongly advises that individuals and businesses follow CDC recommendations and JMHS’ Infectious Disease physician for employees. Current recommendations include that all domestic and international travelers should self-quarantine at home for 14 days and monitor for symptoms. Also, JMHS is recommending that area organizations and churches utilize technology and other means for meetings and worship services through April 6, 2020. This is in accordance with recommendations from MDH that advise against the assembly of populations. If and when the threat declines, we will revisit the recommendations.
Johnson Memorial Health Services’ infection control team focuses on methods to safeguard patients and team members alike from contracting infectious diseases. In addition to daily communication with the CDC and MDH, our team is keeping JMHS prepared with COVID-19 updates. JMHS staff is trained to accommodate patients with infectious diseases safely. If a local COVID-19 case is suspected, JMHS has a plan of action in place following the guidelines of MDH and CDC.
Anyone coming to JMHS will be screened for respiratory symptoms and fever at the front Clinic/Hospital Entrance. Do NOT come in person to the clinic or the emergency room, if you are experiencing fever, cough, shortness of breath, or fatigue and have traveled in the last 14 days, or if you have been exposed to anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19:
- We ask that you first call our dedicated triage line 320-312-2155 and speak to a nurse.
- If the nurse advises that you be screened, come to the drive-through swab site in the ER parking lot so you can be swabbed for influenza and assessed.
- Call 320-312-2155 when you arrive and remain in your vehicle. Staff will come out to your vehicle to assist you.
- After you are swabbed, stay in your vehicle until results are given to you by staff. The results of your test and assessment will determine further course of treatment, which may or may not include COVID-19 testing.
- The Minnesota Department of Health determines who is tested for COVID based on specific criteria. At this time, there are limited testing facilities capable of running the COVID lab test.
“From March 6 through March 15, 2020, Minnesota has had 35 confirmed cases,” said Stacey Lee, CEO . “We’ll never know if we are being overly cautious, but we’ll definitely know if we weren’t cautious enough.” COVID-19 is a new virus. There are still things we do not know, such as how severe the illness can be, how well it is transmitted between people and other features of the virus. More information will be provided as it becomes available. Visit our website at www.jmhsmn.org for up-to-date information.
