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Andalusia Health has announced new procedures for visitors in light of the ongoing COVID-19.

Merrill South, spokesperson for Andalusia Health issued the following statement:

“Out of an abundance of caution, Andalusia Health is taking great care to protect you, our staff, physicians and our patients. We are routing visitors to the front entrance of the facility. At that point of entry, we will provide a brief screening to include reading your temperature prior to entering the building. We will also provide you with a band that identifies that you have been screened for that day. A new band will be required each day you visit. Further, we are also limiting visitors to one per patient due to the need to limit contact in social and group settings. Please do not be alarmed when you see that visitor areas have been removed and the cafeteria has been closed to guests. All of these measures are to keep the community, patients, physicians, and staff safe. We thank you for your cooperation in keeping our community healthy.”

MIZELL CHANGES

At Mizell Memorial Hospital, they have suspended their ICU visitation.

Inpatient visitation will be only from 6:30 a.m. until 9 am. and then 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.

Each patient will designate one visitor who will be issued an armband.

This visitor will present with the armband upon entering the facility.

The registration entrance will be the only entrance into the facility, as all other entrances will be locked.

CASES OF COVID-19

As of press time, no cases had been reported in Covington County.

A case was reported Wednesday afternoon at Southeast Health in Dothan, making it Houston County’s first.

Hospital officials reported that the patient was being isolated and is in good condition.

Earlier Wednesday, the Alabama Department of Public Health announced the state had 46 confirmed cases statewide. That number did not include the Houston County case.

In December 2019, a new (or novel) human coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) type emerged in China.

At this time, it’s unclear how easily this virus is spreading between people.

Patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath appearing anywhere from 2 to 14 days after exposure. Learn more about coronaviruses, how they present, and how they are tested by visiting Human Coronaviruses.

This is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation.