COVID-19 Information

CONFIRMED POSITIVE CASES IN IDA COUNTY

As of 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 27th, Ida County has 0 confirmed positive cases

As of Wednesday, March 25, there have been 2,723 tests performed in the state of Iowa. We can assure you we are conducting tests per CDC and IDPH Guidelines. Ida County Public Health is focusing on education with social distancing, self-isolation, quarantine and eventually, case follow-up. For more detailed information on the number of tests being done in the state, visit www.idph.iowa.gov.

Unfortunately, we are unable to share the number of tests performed in Ida County. Thank you for your understanding. We will continue to keep our patients and community informed as we are able.

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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Information

Horn Memorial Hospital is closely following information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), to help keep our patients and families informed about the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. HMH has comprehensive infection control policies and procedures in place, and remains committed to keeping our patients, staff and community safe.

Updated Horn Memorial Hospital Visitor Restrictions:

Beginning Thursday, March 19, 2020, Horn Memorial Hospital (HMH) is implementing a screening protocol for all patients, staff and visitors that enter the hospital. The front entrance and the Emergency Room door will be the only access to Horn Memorial Hospital. Please use the Emergency entrance for EMERGENCIES ONLY.

The front entrance will be open 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Staff will be present at this entrance to screen all that enter

Visitation is restricted to two visitors (18 years or older) per patient. This policy applies to inpatient visits, emergency department visits, and scheduled outpatient procedures.

New policies are now in place to keep our environment safe for patients, staff and visitors, they include:

The hospital cafeteria is closed to the public until further notice.

Persons with flu-like symptoms will not be allowed to visit patients or patient care areas.

Horn Physicians Clinic-Odebolt until further notice.

It is critically important to follow recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public health officials to prevent the spread of respiratory diseases like COVID-19, such as:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Stay home when you are sick.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

Sneeze and Cough into your sleeve or a tissue.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Updated Protocol for Horn Physicians Clinics:

Please call us prior to presenting to the office. You will be screened over the phone, and we will instruct you on what to do.

In order to protect our staff and patients, all persons that enter HPC will be screened. If you have a fever or respiratory symptoms we are requiring you to put on a mask.

All exam rooms are being disinfected between every patient.

Our providers and nurses are reviewing their schedules and contacting patients if they feel the visit could possibly be rescheduled for a later date.

HMH urges patients and visitors to please be patient as these measures are implemented in accordance with CDC guidelines. For the latest information about novel coronavirus, visit the CDC's website.

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What Can You Do?

The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. According to the CDC, there are simple everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, which include:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

If you are sick, to keep from spreading respiratory illness to others, you should:

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

The CDC recommends that you seek medical advice if you have been to China or another affected area in the last 14 days, or have been exposed to someone sick with COVID-19 and feel ill with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing. Call the office of your health care provider before you go, and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms. They will give you instructions on how to get care without exposing other people to your illness.

Information from Health Care Organizations and Agencies:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


• World Health Organization


• Iowa Department of Public Health

Print Resources:

• What You Need To Know
  
• Share Facts About COVID-19
  
• What To Do If You Are Sick
  
• Symptoms of Coronavirus 2019
  
• Stop The Spread Of Germs
  
• Cover Your Cough

This page was adapted from CDC.gov, last accessed March 18, 2020: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html