Open Accessibility Menu
Hide

COVID-19 Q&A

Prepare, Plan; Don’t Panic

As your trusted community hospital, we work very hard to be prepared for all types of infectious diseases and contagious outbreaks. Wayne HealthCare does have a COVID-19 response plan in place, and we’re following rigorous infection-control procedures to ensure the safety of our patients, visitors, employees, and community. We understand that these are concerning times, but medically-accurate information can help calm concerns and fears. We’ve put together a few Q&As to help answer some of the most frequently asked questions about COVID-19.

Q: What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a new virus and disease which was first identified after an initial outbreak in Wuhan, China in December 2019.

Q: What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Coronaviruses typically cause flu-like symptoms. Symptoms of COVID-19 may include any of the following:

  • Fever greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Chills
  • Headache
  • Dry cough
  • Congestion/runny nose
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Recent loss of smell or taste
  • Shortness of breath
  • Tiredness, body aches
  • Sore throat

Most people typically develop mild symptoms, however people over 60 and those who have other health conditions, such as pre-existing pulmonary disease or compromised immune systems can develop serious complications due to the COVID1-virus.

Q: How is COVID-19 spread?

Because COVID-19 is a new viral strain that people haven’t developed immunity to yet, it can spread easily and cause more infections than other coronaviruses.

The new virus is believed to be spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person sneezes or coughs, just like the flu. These droplets can be inhaled by others or land in their mouths or noses. You may also be able to get infected indirectly by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.

Q: How can I protect myself and my family?

  • Get a COVID-19 vaccine
  • Wear a fitted mask covering your mouth and nose when you are around others outside of your household.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
  • Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces frequently.
  • If you are sick, stay at home.*

*If you're critically ill, please seek immediate medical attention from your health care provider or Emergency Department

Q: What should I do if I have symptoms of COVID-19?

If you have any potential COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, dry cough, chills, congestion, body aches, fatigue, please call your health care provider or the Ohio Department of Health hotline at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH. Share what symptoms you’re experiencing and ask how best to be evaluated. To help limit exposure, please avoid visiting your health care provider or hospital without calling first.

Q: What if I have an upcoming appointment at the hospital?

To ensure a safe environment for all patients, visitors, and staff, we recommend the following precautions:

  • If you do not have flu-like symptoms and/or have not been in contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or recently traveled from an area with an ongoing spread of COVID-19, there’s no need to do anything other than to come in for your scheduled visit.
  • If you do have flu-like symptoms, including fever or cough and have an upcoming appointment at Wayne HealthCare, please call your health care provider first to let them know more about your specific symptoms.
  • If you do have flu-like symptoms, please avoid going directly to your health care provider, hospital, or an Urgent Care without calling first as this will help limit exposure.*

*If you’re critically ill, please seek immediate medical attention from your health care provider or Emergency Department.

Q: How is Wayne HealthCare prepared?

Ensuring the safety of our patients, employees, and neighbors is our #1 priority. Because of that, we continue to monitor and coordinate our response to COVID-19 based on guidance from the CDC, as well as local and state public health officials. We are prepared to care for any coronavirus patient. Some of our existing safety protocols include:

  • Having private airborne isolation treatment rooms available called negative pressure rooms for any confirmed and/or suspected COVID-19 case. These rooms have a special ventilation system to prevent the spread of any infection.
  • Ensuring that all care team members and providers in contact with any confirmed/suspected COVID-19 case wear special protective equipment including air-purifying respirators, gowns, and gloves.

In the unlikely event of a local COVID-19 outbreak, the hospital will implement our emergency preparedness plan.

Wayne HealthCare is closely following the recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Ohio Department of Health and the Darke County Health District.