BROOKINGS – Effective today, Brookings Hospital will be temporarily closed to all visitors in order to protect both patients and team members from the spread of COVID-19. In addition, all persons entering the facility, including team members, will be screened and logged for COVID-19 symptoms and exposure.
“While the COVID-19 threat exists, Brookings Health must protect our patients who need care as well as our team members who need to stay healthy in order to treat our patients,” Infection Preventionist Bunny Christie said. “We know this is not an ideal situation. However, we do encourage people to stay connected with patients through telephone communication, text, Skype or Facebook.”
Exceptions will be made to allow a support person in some extenuating situations, including:
• Delivering OB mothers
• Children under the age of 18
• Patients with confusion, altered mental status, or developmental delays
• End-of-life patients
Facts about COVID-19
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. It was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and has now been detected in several locations internationally, including the U.S.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people with COVID-19 experience mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath. Complications may include pneumonia in both lungs. People at greatest mortality risk from COVID-19 include the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions like diabetes, COPD, underlying heart and lung diseases, or other immune compromising conditions. Children are more likely than adults to present with mild symptoms. The best prevention is to avoid exposure to the virus.
Triage guidance
To help local health care teams care for individuals with COVID-19 symptoms, Brookings Health requests the public to follow triage guidelines:
Questions
If you have questions about COVID-19 and no symptoms (fever, coughing, shortness of breath), call the South Dakota Department of Health hotline, 1-800-997-2880.
Mild symptoms
If you have mild symptoms and are stable, call your primary care provider first to determine if you’re eligible for either influenza or COVID-19 testing. For the Avera Clinic, call 1-877-AT-AVERA or 697-9500. For the Sanford Clinic, call (605) 333-4444.
Seek care immediately if you have symptoms (fever, coughing, shortness of breath) and fall in to one of these categories:
• 65-plus years old
• Under 5 years old
• Pregnant
• Have a chronic medical condition like heart disease, diabetes, lung disease or other immune compromising condition
If you do not fall into the above categories, seek medical attention if your illness is worsening, including:
• A fever of 100.4°F or greater
• Difficulty breathing
• Stay at home except to receive medical care.
Severe symptoms
If you have severe symptoms, seek immediate medical attention at Brookings Hospital’s Emergency Department. Call Brookings Hospital at 696-9000 FIRST before arriving.
Severe symptoms include:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face
Prevent infection
The public should remain calm and use scientifically proven infection control methods.
• Practice good respiratory etiquette and hygiene. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze in your upper sleeve
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Practice social distancing when out in the community by trying to stay three to six feet away from other people. Do not hug, kiss, shake hands or make other unnecessary contact.
• Clean and disinfect high-touch surface areas, such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, etc. every day. COVID-19 is easily cleaned by household cleaners or soap and water.
• Stay at home if you’re sick and self-isolate to prevent the spread of illness.
The public can find the latest information on COVID-19, including a triage chart for those experiencing symptoms, at brookingshealth.org/COVID. The page also includes links to the CDC and the South Dakota Department of Health websites.
