COVID-19 Resources and Our Response

Virginia Gay Hospital and Clinics created this web page for information about the COVID-19 virus and responses by VGH to provide care to patients and the communities we serve. Please call ahead if you are experiencing symptoms of the flu or COVID-19. The hospital’s main number is 319-472-6200.
Clinic phone numbers are

To add your name to the wait list for a vaccine, you can either call 319-472-6363 or email at vghcovid19vaccine@vghinc.com

State Vaccine Information – vaccinate.iowa.gov

 

Updates

July 21,2020

Updated Visitor Restrictions for Virginia Gay Hospital

Jul 21, 2020

Effective Tuesday, July 21, visitors are NOT allowed unless the visitor is a designated caregiver and the patient falls into one of four categories listed below:

•    The patient is imminently dying.

•    The patient is an infant or small child. In this case only one designated parent/caregiver may be present in the room to support care of the patient.

•    The patient is suffering from confusion or delirium. In this case one designated caregiver may be present to support the care of the patient.

•    The patient is in active labor. In this case, only one designated caregiver/support person may be in the ED room to support the patient in labor.

Designated caregivers must be free of any signs of illness. Individuals at high risk for severe disease (e.g., underlying cardiopulmonary disease, poorly controlled diabetes) should not visit.

Designated caregivers:

•    18 years of age and older

•    Siblings are not allowed

•    Always remain in patient room as appropriate

•    Limit movement within the facility and avoid common areas

•    Free from illness such as (fever, sore throat, cough, diarrhea, vomiting or runny nose)

Designated caregivers are required to wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol- based hand foam/gel upon entering and exiting patient’s room. Team members will provide instructions if additional PPE is required.

We understand these visitor restrictions may be difficult for you. While we are committed to providing a family-centered care environment, right now restricting visitors is in the best interest of our patients and staff.

Thank you for your cooperation in this effort. For up-to-date information related to COVID-19, please visit https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/.

June 8, 2020

Updated Visitor Restrictions for Virginia Gay Hospital

MAY 12, 2020, 1:00 PM

Universal Mask Guidelines 

APRIL 15, 2020, 3 PM

An update from the Virginia Gay Family Medical Clinics

MARCH 24, 2020, 12:30 PM

Effective Tuesday, March 24, visitors are NOT allowed unless the visitor is a designated caregiver and the patient falls into one of four categories listed below:

  • The patient is imminently dying.
  • The patient is an infant or small child. In this case only one designated parent/caregiver may be present in the room to support care of the patient.
  • The patient is suffering from confusion or delirium. In this case one designated caregiver may be present to support the care of the patient.
  • The patient is in active labor. In this case, only one designated caregiver/support person may be in the ED room to support the patient in labor.

Designated caregivers must be free of any signs of illness. Individuals at high risk for severe disease (e.g., underlying cardiopulmonary disease, poorly controlled diabetes) should not visit.

Designated caregivers:

  • 18 years of age and older
  • Siblings are not allowed
  • Always remain in patient rooms as appropriate
  • Limit movement within the facility and avoid common areas
  • Free from illness (such as fever, sore throat, cough, diarrhea, vomiting or runny nose)

Designated caregivers are required to wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand foam/gel upon entering and exiting patient’s room. Team members will provide instructions if additional PPE is required.

We understand these visitor restrictions may be difficult for you. While we are committed to providing a family-centered care environment, right now restricting visitors is in the best interest of our patients and staff.

Thank you for your cooperation in this effort. For up-to-date information related to COVID-19, please visit www.idph.iowa.gov

March 17, 2020, 9 am
  • Nursing & Rehab: All non-essential visits are postponed at this time. Families can contact management/activities about options to set up phone calls, emails, video chats. UPDATE, 3/20/20, 5pm: During this time of safe distancing, we want to encourage them with opportunities to see friendly, family faces. We have set-up a safe visitation area for our residents to see you through the window in our rehab room that looks out to the patio. There you’ll be able to talk with them on your phone. Visiting hours will be Monday-Friday, 12-4 pm. To schedule a visit or ask questions, please call activity team members, Lori Smith or Jen Bunten, at 319-472-6280.
  • Call ahead to clinic if you have fever, cough, shortness of breath, travel history or a known or unknown exposure to COVID-19.
  • If you are unsure if your health condition is an emergency situation, please call. The hospital’s main number is 319-472-6200.

Benton County Public Health Updates

Benton County Reminds Residents COVID-19 Still Spreading in Benton County: April 28, 2020, 2 pm
Public Health Proclamation Tightens Restrictions for Benton County Residents: April 23, 2020, 12 pm
Benton County Reminds Residents Social Distancing is Important Outdoors, Too: April 17, 2020, 2:30 pm
Benton County Public Health Explains COVID-19 Testing: April 17, 2020, 2:30 pm
Benton County Public Health Advises Against Easter Travels: April 10, 2020, 8 am
Benton County Continues to Respond to COVID-19:  April 8, 2020, 1:20 pm
COVID-19 Death Confirmed in Benton County: April 7, 2020, 2:30 pm
Benton County Public Health to Residents: Together We’re Stronger: March 30, 2020, 2 pm
Two Cases of COVID-19 Confirmed in Benton County: March 24, 2020, 4 pm
Best Covid-19 Preparation Practices: March 20, 2020, 11 am
Social Distancing Explained: March 20, 2020, 11 am

Prevention

The coronavirus can be spread directly between humans. There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19 and preventing exposure is the best way to avoid illness. We encourage you to take precautions to prevent exposure similar to those you would take to prevent influenza (flu), which remains widespread at this time.

Follow these steps to protect yourself and others:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Always wash your hands with soap and water if they are visibly dirty.
  • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others, as well as by health care workers who are taking care of someone with COVID-19.
  • Clean your home/area with disinfectant regularly.
  • Avoid shaking hands.

Social Distancing

As a health care organization, we are continuing to work hard to ensure the safety of our community, including our patients and staff. The symptoms of COVID-19 take days to appear. This means that someone can be carrying the virus even though they do not have any symptoms. Due to this, it is very important to adhere to the recommendations of health experts, including the CDC. Social distancing during the COVID-19 public health emergency needs to be respected. This means:

  • Do not have play dates or people over your house. Doing so creates new links and possibilities for the type of transmission that school/work/public event closures are trying to prevent.
  • Do not share food or drinks.
  • Stay home as much as possible to reduce your risk of being exposed and prevent spread.
  • To the extent possible, avoid touching high-contact surfaces in public places — elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly after touching surfaces in public places.
  • Carry hand sanitizer with you and use it regularly.
  • Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.
  • Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: practice routine cleaning of frequently-touched surfaces (for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks & cell phones).

We understand that following these rules will not be easy and will be uncomfortable. Adhering to these rules now can dramatically reduce the number of people infected with COVID-19. Here are some things you can do by yourself and with your immediate family members:

  • Take a walk, run, hike, or ride a bike. Our community has a bounty of outdoor trails and natural areas. Now is a great time to rediscover them.
  • Discover a new hobby, such as knitting, cooking, baking, playing board games, photography, music, art, etc.
  • Read a new book or revisit an old favorite.
  • Do yoga or meditate; there are many good videos and resources online.
  • Take an online class.
  • Call your friends, family, and loved ones!

Here are some tips for managing the mental health component of social distancing: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html.

Additional Resources