CLAY CENTER -- Clay County Medical Center (CCMC) is taking an active approach to the coronavirus outbreak.
While there are no known cases in Clay County, the hospital medical staff and administration are monitoring new information daily.
“We are taking the virus seriously and have plans ready to activate should Clay County or one of our neighboring counties be affected,” said Austin M. Gillard, CEO of CCMC. “The best course of action for the public is to practice good hand hygiene, disinfect surfaces in your home and workplace, and stay home if you feel sick.”
“The current threat of exposure in Clay County is very low,” Gillard said. “KDHE has put a very sound statewide plan into place and is communicating well with all hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities to keep everyone up-to-date with daily changes and numbers. Our communities should feel very safe.”
If a person suspects they have been exposed to coronavirus, they should contact their medical provider for further instruction. Most cases, even PUIs, can be managed without hospitalization, however, patients should expect to follow a protocol for testing and isolation if they have suspect they been exposed.
In order to meet cleanliness guidelines, the environmental services team at CCMC has special processes and procedures for cleaning and disinfecting inpatient areas and exam rooms that have been exposed to viruses such as influenza and coronavirus.
“Our team does a fantastic job at keeping CCMC above standards for cleanliness and have been closely monitoring their work since the beginning of flu season,” Gillard said.
This does not mean that visitors will be able to access every part of CCMC. Visitors are asked to check in at the nurse station to be escorted to patient rooms by a member of our nursing staff. This precaution has been in place since early winter as a way to prevent the spread of influenza to or from patients and the public.
Coronavirus has similar symptoms to the cold and influenza. The virus is very similar to other air-borne illnesses and the defense against it is the same. Like influenza, coronavirus is a respiratory virus that can mean fever, coughing, runny or stuffy nose and fatigue.
“Common sense such as staying away from other people if you are ill, covering coughs or sneezes, and washing your hands frequently will help stop the spread coronavirus, influenza and the common cold,” Gillard said. “We can’t stress enough how important it is to stay home if you have any of these symptoms.”