Coronavirus: Granville Health System Preparations
Granville Health System (GHS) has made preparations for the respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, which has spread internationally and to the United States. Amid the outbreak of the coronavirus, GHS has equipped their staff with education and training about the virus. Hospital officials echo federal health officials in cautioning against panic as the risk of infection in this community is very low.
“According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, the risk for contracting the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in our area is currently extremely low if you have not traveled abroad recently,” said Granville Health System CEO John F. Snow. “However, our team has been putting a safety plan in place to provide quality care to our COVID-19 patients and keep our other patients and staff safe.”
“The first step for the Health System is a risk assessment,” said Snow. “Our team is doing a great job of screening patients based on their travel history and symptoms.”
GHS has a proactive approach to the emerging pathogen. Processes are in place to screen all patients checking in at registration desks in the Emergency Room, front admissions, and physician practices for travel to areas abroad or contact with anyone displaying symptoms that has traveled abroad in the last 14 days.
Anyone complaining of a fever, cough, and lower respiratory congestion is asked to wear a surgical mask upon intake. The patient is placed into immediate airborne isolation until ruled out for COVID-19. Any suspected cases are immediately reported to local health officials.
“Our team is keeping up to date with the CDC as this viral outbreak continues to emerge with changes to the global situation nearly every day,” said Chief Nursing Officer Ann Marie Holtzman-Wheeler. “I feel very confident in the processes we’ve put into place, in accordance with their guidelines.”
“As far as prevention, the best way to protect yourself against any virus is still frequent hand-washing, covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your sleeve, and keeping your hands away from your face,” Holtzman-Wheeler continued.
Granville Health System continues to stay abreast of the latest information provided by state and federal guidance to help ensure the highest level of care available will be provided to our communities in Granville County and surrounding areas.
About Granville Health System
For nearly 100 years, Granville Health System has been delivering quality health care close to home. To meet the growing needs of its community, Granville Health System has expanded its services throughout Granville County, offering convenient access to medical care where its citizens work and live. The GHS main campus is located at 1010 College Street, Oxford, North Carolina. For more information about Granville Health System visit GHS online at www.ghsHospital.org.
