March 16

As of today, Community Hospital has discontinued visitors and added outpatient screenings until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Sharon Conroy, RN, Community Hospital Infection Preventionist. “At the moment, there are no known cases in our area,” she said. “But because there is no vaccine or anti-viral treatment for COVID-19, we feel this is the best way to protect our patients, visitors and staff.”

Inpatients

Visitation of all inpatients has been discontinued until further notice. Please consider Skype, Facetime and phone calls to make contact with loved ones and friends.

Outpatients

Outpatients coming for a lab test, radiology procedure, therapies, and rehabilitation, etc. will be screened upon entering the hospital. Outpatients are requested to enter the facility unaccompanied, if possible. Community Hospital patient transporters are available to assist outpatients to their appointments and back to their vehicles.

Support Groups, Classes and Events

All support groups and classes sponsored by Community Hospital have been postponed until further notice. These include but are not limited to:

• Parkinson’s Support Group
• Sterling Connection
• FROG classes held at various communities in the region
• Eat Smart – Get Fit
• Grief Support
• Wellness Fair April 1&2

“If you are sick, please stay home out of respect for our patients, visitors and staff’s safety. We thank you for your understanding during this time as we take precautionary action to protect our patients, visitors, and staff from COVID-19,” Conroy said. If you have questions about visitation contact Sharon Conroy.

Community Hospital is not able to dispense gloves, masks and hand sanitizer to the public due to limited resources.

If you have questions about COVID-19 and your health, call Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department at 308-345-4223, DHHS COVID-19 Information Line 402-552-6645, or go to www.cdc.gov.