Responding to COVID-19

At Humboldt General Hospital, we are prepared to safely screen, diagnose and care for patients with respiratory illness, including COVID-19.

We have implemented enhanced infection prevention strategies, such as visitor limitations and screening procedures, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Humboldt County.

We are committed to patient confidentiality and will not be providing details about patients in our care. Any confirmed cases of COVID-19 will be reported to designated state and federal agencies per governmental guidelines.

As always, prevention is key, and we stress the importance of wearing a mask, maintaining at least six feet of social distance and proper hand hygiene.

COVID-19

Prevention

To avoid the spread of illness:

Stay home to limit exposure, and wear a mask if going out in public is necessary.
Maintain six feet of distance from other people at all times.
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Symptoms

Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as two days and as many as 14.

Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath
Chills
Fatigue
Muscle pain
Headache
Sore throat
New loss of taste or smell
Upset stomach / diarrhea
Severe respiratory illness

Screening

Screening for respiratory illness or COVID-19 symptoms is provided in Humboldt General Hospital's Clinic Suite C, which may be accessed from the ramp entrance on Mizpah Street. Residents should call (775) 623-5222, ext. 1379, to alert staff and then wait for assistance. The healthcare provider will provide diagnosis and treatment, including medication prescriptions; orders for respiratory, radiology and/or laboratory testing; recommendations for level of care (including home care and possible self-isolation); and/or testing for COVID-19. The screening clinic is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m. All patients who are experiencing respiratory illness should avoid the main hospital and go directly to the screening clinic location. After hours and on weekends, patients who have severe symptoms of fever, cough and difficulty breathing should go to the HGH Emergency Department.

Residents also may call the COVID-19 Hotline, which is available to direct residents with symptoms (fever, dry cough and shortness of breath) and to answer questions. Local residents may call (775) 777-2507 from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or text or email questions to COVID19@elkocountynv.net. Se habla español.

Visitor Restrictions

In order to protect patients, staff and visitors, Humboldt General Hospital has enacted the following enhance safety measures.

All visitors must wear a facial covering at all times. Visitors who cannot wear a facial covering for medical reasons must provide documentation from their medical provider.
All visitors must practice appropriate hand hygiene.
All visitors will be screened for temperature and COVID-19 symptoms; any visitor with fever or COVID-19 symptoms will not be allowed to visit.
All visitors who are cleared to enter the facility will wear a sticker indicating the date and their destination; inpatient visitors should report immediately to the nurses station.
All visitors will be required to practice strict social distancing.
Acute Department inpatients may receive one visitor over age 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Emergency Department patients may have one family member visitor over age 18.
Mother and Baby Unit patients in active labor may be accompanied by one visitor over age 18 who must remain with them until discharge.
Surgery patients may be accompanied by one visitor over age 18 who can provide pre- and post-operative support.
Clinic patients under age 18 may be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Clinic, lab and imaging patients over age 18 may be accompanied by an aide or assistant if required.
No visitors are allowed at Harmony Manor or Quail Corner except in the case of compassionate care (such as end-of-life).
Any person other than a patient who is coughing or shows signs of illness will be asked to leave.
Humboldt General Hospital will review special needs and circumstances on a case-by-case basis with patients' medical providers.

Hospital Access

Persons entering Humboldt General Hospital will be limited to two entrances:

The hospital’s main entrance will be open to patients at Humboldt General Hospital from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Emergency Department entrance will be open 24 hours a day for emergencies, after-hours OB check-in, and after-hours visitation.
All other entrances to HGH, including the hospital’s underground parking garage, will be closed until further notice.

All persons entering the facility will be screened at the hospital’s two entrances will be screened in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for fever, respiratory or influenza-like illness, exposure to COVID-19 and recent travel.

Every person on the HGH campus over age 2 must wear a mask; any person who refuses to wear a mask will be asked to leave. Persons who cannot wear a mask for medical reasons must provide documentation from their medical provider.

Cancellations

In a preventative effort to reduce exposure to respiratory illness, including COVID-19, Humboldt General Hospital has canceled all events, classes, meeting room space, and tours.

This includes any group that regularly meets in the Sarah Winnemucca Conference Room, the Sonoma Conference Room or the EMS Station Training Room. Please check back for updates on when gatherings will be rescheduled.

These measures are designed to protect the health and safety of all patients, visitors, staff and volunteers and help reduce the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have provided specific guidelines on social distancing, which means avoiding mass gatherings and maintaining a minimum distance of six feet from other people when possible.