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Coronavirus Information |
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
What is COVID-19?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. These range from viruses that cause the common cold to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
A person may test positive for a coronavirus and not have the type of virus associated with the outbreak.
The outbreak is a specific type of coronavirus called Coronavirus Disease 2019 or COVID-19. The abbreviation comes from – CO stands for corona, VI for virus, D for disease.
COVID-19 is spread by close person-to-person contact from droplets of a cough or sneeze, which can get into your mouth, nose or lungs.
COVID-19 Symptoms
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Sore Throat
Call Tri Valley Health System at 308-697-3317 before you come. This is important so we can assess your symptoms and provide information on steps to take before you arrive.
For the safety of our patients, family members and/or visitors are discouraged from coming to the hospital or clinic with individuals who arrive to be screened and tested for COVID-19.
Protect Yourself & Others
- Wash your hands often
- Cover your cough/sneeze with a tissue
- Don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth
- Avoid close contact with sick people. Keep a 6 foot distance between you and others.
- Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces often
- Stay home when you are sick
Tri Valley Health System Processes
Tri Valley Health System has systems and processes in place and are ready to respond to the health needs of our community. These processes include:
- Visitor Restrictions - Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in the Southwest Nebraska Public Health District, starting Friday, October 9, Tri Valley Health System has implemented visitor restrictions to all patients. No visitors will be allowed, except for the following: end of life instances, Emergency Department patients are allowed one support person while in the emergency room, Labor and delivery patients are allowed one support person upon admission, to remain through discharge, minors (under the age of 19) must be accompanied by only one adult, hearing and vision impaired patients will be allowed one support person, and patients requiring an essential care taker to be part of their visit will be determined on a case-by-case basis. No visitors allowed for patients on isolation precautions or pending COVID results.
Visitors for these patients must be fever-free, without a cough, and not have traveled to any of the CDC stated coronavirus hot spots. Visitors will be required to wear a mask.
COVID-19 is a global, national and local concern. Tri Valley Health System would like to assure patients and the communities that Tri Valley Health System is taking all necessary precautions and providing tools to help keep everyone healthy.
Tri Valley Health System has a COVID-19 hotline to call if you think you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to the virus. The phone number to call is 308-697-1000. The hotline will be available Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Call 308-697-3329 after 5:00 pm and on weekends.
Tri Valley Health System’s top priority is keeping patients, employees, visitors and the communities safe. Tri Valley Health System has the training, tools and techniques in place to isolate and care for patients who are potentially at risk for the coronavirus following the guidelines identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tri Valley Health System is working closely with local and state agencies to monitor and prepare accordingly.
Preventing the spread of respiratory diseases, including the flu and COVID-19 is very important. It’s recommended to practice social distancing which includes limiting close contact with people and avoid crowds. Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Wear a mask to help reduce the risk of infection, especially when combined with other prevention efforts. You should also stay home if you are sick.
For the most up to date information on COVID-19 visit the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department at www.swhealth.ne.gov or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov. - Screening - Everyone coming into Tri Valley Health System will be screened upon arrival. Temperature, travel history, cough and sore throat will be monitored.
- Walk-In Clinic Opened - A new Walk-In Clinic has been opened in the former Manor. The Clinic can be accessed by the north entrance located on Nasby Street. This clinic will treat all people who are feeling ill or who are sick.
- Virtual Appointments - Tri Valley Health System has began offering virtual appointments with your Tri Valley Health System provider so you don't have to leave home. Patients will need to sign up for the Patient Portal that is available on the Home page of our website first and then will be able to request a virtual appointment through the Patient Portal.
- COVID-19 Hotline - Tri Valley Health System has a COVID-19 hotline available Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for any questions or concerns about COVID-19. The hotline number is 308-697-1000.
Services available at Tri Valley Health System
Tri Valley Health System has resumed all services including elective surgery procedures. All three clinics are open and patients can be seen by their provider. Patients will be scheduled at Arapahoe and Indianola with well patients in the morning and ill patients in the afternoon to allow separation of patients and allow for cleaning. The Thrift Store is open with a maximum of 25 people in the store, masks are required, and social distancing recommended. The Wellness Center has also reopened with 24/7 access. Members will need to be screened at the front entrance, maximum of 25 patrons in the Center, and masks are recommended. Massage therapy with Rhonda Banzhaf has resumed. Clients will need to screen.
COVID-19 Credible Resources for Information and Updates
