Coronavirus COVID-19
Health Recommendations Regarding Quarantine Measures
At the Lower Sioux Health Care Center, your health is our top priority. We appreciate the trust you place in us. As the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases increase in both the U.S. and Minnesota, we’re working hard to do our part to prevent the spread of the virus. You, too, can help us keep our community safe! To stay healthy, it’s important to stay informed. Please continue to be a good relative by staying home and doing your part to prevent the spread!
What if I think I may have COVID-19?
If you are sick, stay home until:
- At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications
- Improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath)
- At least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared
What to do if your health care provider suspects or confirms that you have COVID-19?
- Contact Lower Sioux Emergency Operation Center at (320) 522-0216 for
questions, guidelines, or assistance with supplies during COVID-19 Pandemic. - Do not leave your home until cleared by your health care provider.
- Contact your health care provider for more advice if symptoms continue or get worse, or if new symptoms start.
- If you need medical assistance, call prior to arriving and state your health status to healthcare providers.
- Stay in a specific room away from others in your household, including, if possible
- Using a separate bathroom
- Do not share household items / cups, utensils, toothbrushes
- Wear a mask around others if contact is necessary.
- Notify supervisor & human resources at your work site before returning to work if you’re a health care worker or other essential employee.
When to Seek Emergency Medical Care
Call 911 for any of these emergency warning signs of COVID-19:
*Per the CDC, this list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
COVID-19 Viral Testing Now Available!
Lower Sioux Health Care Center Testing:
- Please call the EOC at: (320) 522-0216 and your call will be forwarded to the LSHCC
- Nurse screening over the phone for eligibility of testing
- By appointment, drive up (curbside testing)
- Weekday hours: M-F 8:30-4:00
- Weekend hours: Unavailable
- Accepting: LSHCC will follow screening criteria and testing guidelines from both the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) as well as Mayo Clinic.
- Priority is testing, managing, and treating symptomatic patients at this time.
Any Questions: Call the EOC to speak to a nurse!
WHAT DO THESE TERMS MEAN?
Lower Sioux has issued an Amended Shelter In Place Order effective as of March 27, 2020. The Order requires people within the Community’s boundaries to shelter in place except for essential needs and services. This is in effect until the Community ends its Declaration of State of Emergency. Essential needs and services include gathering groceries, gas, emergency medical services or supplies, caring for family members, friends or pets. Minnesotans can still enjoy outdoor activities as long as they are following social distancing (more than 6 feet apart in groups of less than 10 people) guidelines.
Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Someone in self-quarantine stays separated from others, and they limit movement outside of their home or current place. Self-quarantine helps limit further spread of COVID-19. This is used if an individual has been in close proximity (within 5 feet for 10 minutes) of someone who tested positive of COVID-19, the individual has symptoms that resemble COVID-19, or a healthcare provider suspects you have been exposed.
COVID-19 spreads mainly among people who are in close contact (within about 6 feet) for an extended period of time. Spread happens when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, and droplets from their mouth or nose are launched into the air and land in the mouths or noses of people nearby. The droplets can also be inhaled into the lungs. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes. Social distancing helps limit contact with infected people or contaminated surfaces.
Isolation is used to separate sick people from healthy people. People who are in isolation should stay home. In the home, anyone who is sick
should separate themselves from family members and pets by staying in a designated “sick” bedroom or space and use a different bathroom
(if possible). This is used when an individual has a reported COVID-19 positive and has been instructed to remain in isolation for an allotted
time as ordered by a healthcare provider. This is for the safety of everyone in the community.