Novel Coronavirus 2019

Lallie Kemp Medical Center, in coordination with the Louisiana Office of Public Health and The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), continues to closely monitor an outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Active Visitor Restrictions

To further protect the health of our patients, workforce, and the community and prevent the potential spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), we are applying a modified visitor policy. This policy restricts visitors to those deemed essential, vital or necessary to the care and well-being of patients.

Visitors who will be allowed into the facility will be determined by facility personnel after consultation with families and responsible parties. This does not extend to non-essential visitors in situations involving end of life care, as approved by the facility.

However, any visitor that meets the definition of a restricted person cannot enter the facility.

A restricted person is defined as someone who:

  • Has signs or symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath or sore throat as assessed by the facility;
  • In the last 14 days, has had contact with someone with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, or is under investigation for COVID-19, or has been or is currently ill with respiratory illness;
  • Has been on international travel within the last 14 days to countries with sustained community transmission of COVID-19; or
  • Is under the age of 17

As with any evolving situation, it is critical to make decisions based on the most up-to-date, accurate information. It’s important to get the facts and avoid spreading false or misleading information. Below are answers to the most common questions about the coronavirus, and what you can do to protect yourself and others.

About Coronavirus

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people and others that circulate among animals, including camels, cats and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then spread between people such as has been seen with recent outbreaks of MERS and SARS.

Questions about Coronavirus?

If you have questions about coronavirus, please contact the Louisiana 211 Network by dialing dial 211. Or, you can text the keyword LACOVID to 898-211 for the most current information about the outbreak as it becomes available. You can also get answers here: www.la211help.org.

Symptoms

For confirmed infections, reported illnesses have ranged from infected people with little to no symptoms (similar to the common cold) to people being severely ill and dying. Symptoms can include:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing

CDC believes at this time that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 after exposure.

There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for COVID-19 infection. People infected with COVID-19 should receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms. Seek medical advice if you develop symptoms, and have been in close contact With a person known to have COVID-19 or if you live in or have recently been in an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19.

How does Coronavirus spread?

Health experts are still learning the details about how this new coronavirus spreads. Other coronaviruses spread from an infected person to others through:

  • Through respiratory droplets produced when couching and sneezing
  • Close person contact
  • Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes

What you can do to help prevent the spread of COVID-19

It is currently flu and respiratory disease season, and flu activity is still high and expected to continue for a number of weeks. Take steps to avoid spreading germs from any respiratory diseases by:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Cover you cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touch objects and surfaces.
  • Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
  • Getting a flu vaccine and taking flu antivirals if prescribed.

Additional Information from the Louisiana Office of Public Health

Additional Information from the CDC

What is Lallie Kemp doing?

Lallie Kemp Medical Center is committed to the health and safety of our patients, employees, and physicians. As in all cases of emerging infectious diseases, we monitor closely and follow CDC recommendations. As more is understood about this virus, recommendations may change.

To help protect our patients against flu and other respiratory illness, Lallie Kemp currently has visitor restrictions in place. Please avoid visiting if you have a cough, fever, sore throat, body aches or gastrointestinal symptoms. Thank you.

 

For the latest information, visit the CDC website.

 
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