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Hospital updates policies regarding coronavirus

Staff Report

Tallassee Community Hospital is taking necessary measures to keep the community informed and safe during the cornonavirus pandemic.

The hospital is coordinating with the Alabama Department of Public Health to stay up to date on the latest developments and recommendations associated with the coronavirus known as COVID-19.

Precautions have been put in place to ensure safety of patients and staff.

"We routinely treat communicable diseases and have emergency plans developed to respond to pandemics," Infection Control nurse Stacey McClain said. "The hospital participates in a statewide program to report critical information on a daily basis such as bed capacity, staffing and equipment and supplies. Like many facilities across the nation, one of our main shortages is collection kits used to screen patients who meet the CDC guidelines for coronavirus testing. We anticipate this will improve as more kits and testing locations become available. Information on the coronavirus changes daily and we will remain vigilant in obtaining the latest guidelines as they become available."

As part of the plan to reduce the spread of the virus, Community Hospital has implemented a no visitation policy by orders of the Alabama Department of Public Health. No patient visitors will be allowed in the hospital except for certain compassionate care situations, such as end of life patients. No visitors will be allowed in the triage or treatment areas of the emergency room. People who come with patients will be asked to stay in their car.

Community residents have an enormous role to play in reducing the spread of the virus. If you are sick and think you may have the virus (fever of 100.4 or above, flu-like symptoms, cough, shortness of breath) please call your healthcare provider prior to going in to their office. If you do not have a healthcare provider, call 1-888-264-2256 for the nearest testing site from your location. We are asking that everyone practice good hygiene, avoid being around people who are sick and stay home if you are sick. Proper handwashing, covering your cough or sneeze, and alerting your healthcare provider before appointments if you are sick are good guidelines we all should follow.

Community Hospital encourages everyone to visit the Alabama Department of Public Health website at www.alabamapublichealth.gov or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus for up to date information. Due to the rapidly evolving nature of this situation, our policies are subject to change. Please follow us on facebook to stay up to date with Community Hospital.