Local Hospitals Prepping For Possible COVID-19 Patients
Local hospitals were buzzing today as multiple patients began coming in for COVID-19 screening. Munster Community Hospital setup a mobile tent operation in the parking this afternoon for what they are calling “undergoing routine maintenance and checks for readiness if they need to deploy for this outbreak.” Sources at local hospitals have informed RNS of patients being tested today in Lake County. The Indiana Department of Health updates confirmed cases once every 24 hours in the morning. As of 11am today Indiana has 12 confirmed cases with 64 tested. The closest confirmed counties to the Region being St. Joseph County and Cook County IL.
While we wait for test results in the local area on today’s screenings multiple schools, parades, gatherings have canceled functions. It’s best to check their websites and call ahead for any group activities to see if they are still occurring.
Franciscan Hospitals Release Statement on Franciscan Health Crown Point enhances visitor restrictions to prevent spread of coronavirus
With the continued spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) and flu season, Franciscan Health Crown Point has enhanced visitor restrictions and screenings at its hospital.
Franciscan Health Crown Point, 1201 S. Main St., began enhanced screening of visitors on Thursday, March 12. Manned stations at three entrances will screen visitors and patients. Visitors who have any of the following conditions will not be allowed to visit:
* The visitor or someone in their household has travelled to China, Japan, Iran, South Korea, Italy or been on a cruise ship or airplane in the last 14 days.
* The visitor or someone in their household has had contact with a person with a confirmed or highly suspect case of COVID-19.
*Have traveled internationally or been in contact with someone with a respiratory illness in the past 14 days
*Reside in a community with a known COVID-19 case
*Those who are less than 18 years of age
* The visitor currently has signs or symptoms of a respiratory infection such as a cough.
* The visitor has a temperature greater than 100.4.
Flu restrictions, which took effect at all area Franciscan Health hospitals in December, remain in effect. Hospitals include Dyer, Hammond, Michigan City and Munster. Franciscan’s Northern Division does not currently have any positive cases of COVID-19. Patients who are symptomatic or have travelled or had other exposure to COVID-19 are encouraged to call before arriving at any Franciscan Health facility so that staff can take precautions to avoid the spread of infection.
Infection Control teams at Franciscan Health have implemented procedures and have protective barriers and isolation areas to protect staff and others from airborne exposure to COVID-19. Further, our clinicians train year-round to respond to any potential outbreaks of infectious diseases.
As COVID-19 is an evolving situation, Franciscan Health will continue to work with local and state public health agencies should additional measures need to be taken. Patient safety is always paramount in the protection of our patients, visitors and staff. Additional information and links to the latest updates about COVID-19 can be found at franciscanhealth.org/covid-19.
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb met with CDC and Health Board this morning initiating new prevention measures that can be found here at this link.
