Your health and safety continue to be the top priority for Idaho Falls Community Hospital
We are tracking the latest Coronavirus (COVID-19) developments around the clock alongside the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and local government officials. Our team is also taking extra measures to keep our patients, employees and community safe at the hospital.
Part of these measures includes limiting the number of visitors in the hospital. Please read our visitor's policy for the very latest details.
UPDATES ON COVID-19
WHAT TO DO IF YOU FEEL SICK?
It is important to know the symptoms associated with COVID-19. While the virus is spreading across the country, so are many cases of the common cold and flu. If you start to feel unwell, please try not to worry. Determine what symptoms you are experiencing and then call your primary care doctor.
The symptoms for COVID-19 include:
- Fever
- Dry cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue/Malaise
Your chances of contracting COVID-19 are higher if you’ve recently traveled somewhere with a high number of Coronavirus cases or been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with the virus. Visit the CDC’s website to see the latest list of locations where the virus has been found.
If your symptoms match the list above and you believe you may have come in contact with the virus, drive-through COVID-19 testing is available Monday through Friday in Idaho Falls at 3908 Washington Parkway. If you are not showing any signs or symptoms for COVID-19, you do not need to be tested. It is important we save the tests for individuals who truly need them.
ONLY INDIVIDUALS SHOWING SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 WILL BE TESTED
If you feel like you might be showing symptoms for COVID-19, call your primary care provider and they can help guide you on what to do next and help arrange a COVID-19 test. If your primary care doctor believes you need to go to the emergency department for observation, please call 208.528.1132 to speak with a nurse.
STEPS WE ARE TAKING TO KEEP YOU SAFE
The well-being of our patients, team members and community continues to be our top priority and we are taking extra measures to keep everyone safe. We appreciate your understanding and support during this time.
To help stop the potential spread of the disease, visitors coming to the hospital will need to be at least 18 years of age or older. Additionally, we are strongly encouraging families and patients to limit visitors to one at a time.
Everyone who enters the hospital will have their temperature taken – this includes visitors and members of our own team. If anyone has a fever, we will ask them to return home. As always, if you feel like you have a cold, fever or other signs of illness, please wait to visit the hospital until you feel better. Our team and your loved one will appreciate the steps you are taking to keep them healthy.
Additionally, if you have traveled to an area where there are multiple, confirmed cases of COVID-19, please wait 14 days before visiting the hospital. The CDC has all of the latest list of locations where the virus has been found on its website.
Idaho Falls Community Hospital has also increased its sanitation efforts. While we regularly clean and sanitize the hospital, our team has increased the frequency of these efforts.
STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO PROTECT YOUR HEALTH
Right now, the best thing community members can do to stay healthy is continue to practice smart hygiene and limit your exposure to others.
- If you do not feel well, stay home. If you think you may have COVID-19, call your primary care provider.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. Make sure you scrub for at least 20 seconds or the time it takes you to sing Happy Birthday twice. Always turn off the faucet with a clean paper towel. If you can’t get to a sink, use hand sanitizer and thoroughly rub it into your hands.
- As much as you can, try not to touch your face – especially your eyes, nose and mouth.
- If you need to cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or the inside of your elbow. Do not use your hands.
- Clean surfaces you touch frequently with Clorox wipes or a disinfectant spray. This includes doorknobs, cell phones, desks, kitchen counters and computers.
- The CDC is recommending American’s avoid gatherings of more than 50 people until early May. Additionally, during this time, you may choose to practice social distancing and limit your contact with people outside your household.
- Avoid contact with people are sick.
RESOURCES
In addition to our regular updates, here are some reliable sources of information to keep you and your family safe and informed:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Idaho Official Resources for the Novel Coronavirus
Eastern Idaho Public Health
The World Health Organization
Media Resources
If you are a reporter who is interested in speaking to someone from Idaho Falls Community Hospital, we would love to help you. Please contact Natalie Podgorski by emailing natalie@foresightpublicaffairs.com or calling 435.881.1391 and we will get back to you as quickly as we can.
In the meantime, please check out our latest updates from the hospital at the top of this page.
