First Case of COVID-19 Confirmed in Davis County

April 29, 2020 –

Davis County Public Health and ADLM Counties Emergency Management has learned that a local community member has tested positive for the novel Coronavirus, COVID-19 While this is the first case in Davis County, it may not be the last. We encourage all residents to continue to make prevention a priority.  These actions include:

  • Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time.
  • Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow/upper arm.
  • Staying home when ill.
  • Avoid nonessential travel and social distance.

For individuals who have symptoms of illness, particularly with fever and cough or shortness of  breath, your provider can assess whether you  need to be seen in the office or if you can recover at home. If  you think you  need healthcare, call first. Approximately 80% of Iowans infected with COVID-19 will experience only a mild to moderate illness. Most mildly ill Iowans do not need to go to their healthcare provider or be tested to confirm they have COVID-19. Sick Iowans must stay home and isolate themselves from others in their house.

Stay home and isolate from others in the house until:

  • You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers)
  • AND other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved)
  • AND at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.

We recognize that this is a very uncertain time for everyone. We encourage residents to follow recommendations from Iowa Department of Public Health, Governor Reynolds and local healthcare agencies. Davis County (ADLM) Emergency Management, Davis County Department of Public Health and local healthcare partners will continue to update the public as more information becomes available.

Iowans with general questions about COVID-19. For up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit Emerging Health Issues – Novel Coronavirus (iowa.gov) and follow the department on Facebook at @IowaDepartmentOfPublicHealth and on Twitter at @IAPublicHealth. For local information follow us on Facebook at Davis County Hospital & Clinics and ADLM Counties Emergency Management.

DCHC Accepting Hand Sewn Masks

Davis County Hospital & Clinics (DCHC) is committed to providing the highest quality care and ensuring the safety of our patients, employees, providers, and visitors. We are continuing to monitor the evolving situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19) and are taking the necessary steps to ensure we are fully prepared to care for patients, in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and in partnership with our local and state health departments.

DCHC is now accepting donations of hand sewn face masks.

DCHC is graciously accepting donations of hand sewn face masks. In order to make the masks as effective as possible, please consider following this guidance on making homemade masks for healthcare workers; no specific fabric color or pattern is necessary.

Drop-Off Instructions

Please drop off masks at the DCHC Outpatient/Clinic (B3) Entrance during normal business hours (M-F, 8-5). You may press the ‘Assistance’ button located on the island and someone will be out shortly to retrieve the masks from you. Otherwise, you may drop the box of donated masks off with our staff member located just inside the door.

If you are able to donate factory-made personal protective equipment (N95 masks, gowns or face shields), please contact Davis County Public Health at 641-664-3629 to coordinate delivering your donation.

Thank you for your generosity and thoughtfulness of our staff during this time.

If you have general questions on COVID-19, please dial 2-1-1. If you begin to experience symptoms and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you live in or have recently been in an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19, call your primary care provider before coming in.

IDPH posts statewide numbers of persons being monitored, persons being tested and test results on the IDPH webpage at https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus. Visit this web page often for up-to-date information and follow the department on Facebook at @IowaDepartmentOfPublicHealth and on Twitter at @IAPublicHealth.

DCHC COVID-19 Precautions | Temporary Hours Change

April 6, 2020 – To continue to protect the health and well-being of our patients, their families and the communities we serve, further precautions have been put in place. Effective Tuesday April 7th, 2020, DCHC will be implementing a temporary change in hours for the following departments:

Medical Associates Clinic
Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm

Laboratory
Monday – Friday, 7am – 5pm

We encourage patients to call with any questions, and to ask about our new Virtual Visits option for your medical care needs.

If you have general questions on COVID-19, please dial 2-1-1. If you begin to experience symptoms and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you live in or have recently been in an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19, call your primary care provider before coming in.

IDPH posts statewide numbers of persons being monitored, persons being tested and test results on the IDPH webpage at https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus. Visit this web page often for up-to-date information and follow the department on Facebook at @IowaDepartmentOfPublicHealth and on Twitter at @IAPublicHealth.

Virtual Visits

DCHC Launches Virtual Care

April 1, 2020 – Davis County Hospital & Clinics (DCHC) announced today the implementation of Virtual Care (telehealth), to expand access to care for our patients in response to the coronavirus COVID-19. This rare opportunity gives our patients the chance to receive the medical care they need without having to come to our facility in this time of uncertainty.

DCHC is using a simple, secure video solution powered by Doxy.me. Simply click a link provided to you in an email and you’ll be checked in and ready to see your provider.

“Virtual Care will provide our patients, particularly those at high-risk of complications from the virus that causes the disease COVID-19, the care they need by letting them see our providers from the comfort and security of their own home,” said DCHC Chief Executive Officer, Veronica Fuhs. “We want to accommodate our community and region in every way we can to help keep our patients healthy while helping to contain the community spread of the virus.”

The virtual video visits – conducted via smartphone, or a computer equipped with a web camera – are suited to patients who may have flu-like symptoms and want to speak with a provider; or those experiencing other routine ailments but do not want to travel to the office for fear of a potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus.

Virtual Care appointments at DCHC will be available for family medicine, pediatrics, and internal medicine, as well as a broad range of specialized care including general surgery and allergy/pulmonary visits.

“We are committed to helping mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our communities and this will be a great benefit to patients in that effort”, said Fuhs. “With the emergence of the virus causing the disease COVID-19, there is an urgency for us to expand the use of technology to help people who need routine care, and keep vulnerable patients and patients with mild symptoms in their homes while maintaining access to the care they need.”

Patients can access Virtual Visit appointments with their physician or caregiver using a smartphone, iPad, desktop or laptop equipped with a web camera. Patient Virtual Care appointments will be scheduled through their doctor’s office and any patient needing an appointment should call their doctor’s office

Once a Virtual Care visit is scheduled, the doctor’s office will provide patients with an email invitation for their appointment time, along with detailed instructions on how to utilize the Virtual Visit program.

“If Virtual Care appointments will provide peace of mind and extended safety for our patients, then we are more than willing to add this service” said Fuhs. “In this time of uncertainty, we want to do what we can to help keep our patients and staff members safe and healthy by limiting exposure.”

The following DCHC providers will have access to Virtual Care:

  • Davis County Medical Associates:
    • Christian Sanchez
    • Mary Graeff
    • Robert Floyd
    • Trina Settles
    • Beverly Oliver, ARNP
    • Dianne Knapp, ARNP
    • Haleigh Skaggs, ARNP
  • General Surgery, Dr. John Harrington
  • Allergy & Pulmonary, Dr. Ron Graeff

For patients who prefer to see their provider in person, Davis County Hospital & Clinics is open and continues to see patients for appointments. The organization is closely monitoring COVID-19 and is following guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and World Health Organization, and is working closely with local and state health departments in the care of patients.

For additional information on DCHC’s Virtual Care, Click Here.

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