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Policies changing at hospital, nursing homes to prevent COVID-19 spreadFree Access


While there has yet to be a confirmed case of coronavirus reported in Wise County as of Thursday afternoon, Wise Health System and local nursing homes are adjusting visitors policies to prevent the spread of the virus.

Wise Health System has implemented a one visitor per patient policy. Only those who are well, and not experiencing respiratory illness (ie. cough, flu, or a fever), are allowed to visit, according to WHS.

Visitor’s Guide — This sign, outlining the new visitors policy, has been posted at all Wise Health System inpatient facility entrances.

The new policy will be in place until further notice.

“Obviously, if you are not feeling well, or if you have any flu-like symptoms, do not visit any patient,” WHS Communications Director Shannon Spann said.

There are exceptions to the policy. It will not apply to patients under the age of 18 who have a scheduled procedure, need emergency care or hospitalization. It will also not apply to patients in serious emergencies and “end of life situations.”

With the elderly especially vulnerable to COVID-19, several local nursing homes have implemented changes to their visitors policy.

“We are under a no visitors allowed policy, unless the patient is actively dying,” said Jessica Upton, director of nursing at The Hills Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Decatur Medical Lodge is also not allowing visitors into the building, receptionist Lluvia Ramos said.

At Governor’s Ridge, they’re allowing visitors, but have put up a sign requesting visitors not come inside if they have flu-like symptoms, Executive Director Leslie Misenhimer said in an email.

Misenhimer also provided the letter, penned by Titan SenQuest President Kevin Kaseff, sent to residents and family members outlining the steps being taken to prevent COVID-19 in its community. The steps include routine cleaning and encouraging employees to go home if they’re sick.

In the occurrence of an outbreak, defined as three to five residents reporting active symptoms of COVID-19, the letter states:

“We will remove all items from dining room tables that residents can handle … We will sanitize the entire table after one or more people use it for dining. Even if only one person uses a table during a meal, all place settings will be removed for washing and the entire table and all chairs are sanitized. All staff will use gloves when bussing and cleaning tables, sanitizing chairs, and when handling anything residents or other staff might have come into contact with.

“We will use only disposable containers for room or apartment deliveries. We do not want to chance cross contaminating our kitchen with dishes that were used in a contaminated room or apartment.”

If eight or more residents/staff become ill, central dining will be suspended, Kaseff said. Once it’s believed the potential spread has passed, and there are no newly reported cases for a minimum of 48 hours, Governor’s Ridge will resume regular operations and continue to monitor for new reports of illnesses, according to the letter.

There have been protocol changes at the EMS level, too.

Wise County EMS Administrator Randall Preuninger said, in a March 4 Messenger story,  his office provided dispatchers with questions to ask patients who are experiencing certain signs and symptoms of respiratory illness to help identify potential coronavirus cases before EMS arrives on the scene.

Certain internal protocols and operating guidelines have also been put into place for EMS first responders if dispatchers receive positive responses to the questions, Preuninger said. For instance, they have made some protective gear changes for the EMS crews dealing with a potential coronavirus patient. In addition to the standard gown, goggles and N95 masks, Preuninger said, the office will receive a shipment of full-face respirators.

On Thursday, Wise County Judge J.D. Clark posted on social media about a conference call with Governor Greg Abbott regarding COVID-19. Clark said there are currently 23 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Texas, and no current confirmed cases in Wise County.

“At the county level, we are continuing to collaborate with our state and local partners to plan for all scenarios,” Clark said.

Several events have been cancelled or put on hold statewide, impacting Wise County, including the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the UIL State Championship basketball tournament, which was suspended Thursday shortly after Slidell punched its ticket to the championship game.

The Touch of Rust Vintage Market, set to take place this weekend, has also been canceled, and the Wise County Health Fair that was scheduled for March 21 has been rescheduled for Oct. 3, 2020.

The Messenger will be publishing a running list of event changes, cancellations, and suspensions in a separate story. Submit event changes to news@wcmessenger.com.

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