Coronavirus (COVID-19) Preparedness Information

Our practices is committed to providing the highest quality care and ensuring the safety of our patients, employees, providers, volunteers and visitors. We are continuing to monitor the evolving situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19) and are taking the necessary steps to ensure we are fully prepared to care for patients, in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and in partnership with our local and state health departments.

Below are a number of resources to help educate you and your family on COVID-19. For more information on the virus, please contact the Jackson County Department of Public Health.

COVID-19 Resources

CDC COVID-19 Facility Visitor Guidance

Harris Regional Hospital Novel Coronavirus (COVID–19) Media Statement

Our practices are taking every precaution to keep our patients and staff safe, and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our facilities. For this reason, we are following the CDC recommendation and state mandate that anyone who enters our facility must wear a face mask at all times.

Patients are encouraged to bring their own mask from home to help conserve hospital supplies for patients and staff.

Why wear a mask? Recent studies show that universal masking, in addition to practicing social distancing and proper hand hygiene, can help prevent the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19, especially in individuals who may not know they are ill. And until there is a vaccine, these measures are our best line of defense in protecting not only you, but also our healthcare workers and community members.

Please be smart and do your part. Wear a mask! We all have a responsibility to protect one another against the spread of COVID-19 and make our communities healthier.

We are taking every precaution to ensure your health and safety.

Your health and safety is our top priority every day of the year. As we continue to fight COVID-19 and navigate a new normal, we are committed to continuing to provide quality care you can trust in an environment where you are safe and protected. With this in mind, our physician practices have taken a number of important steps to ensure a safe place of care, including requiring masks to be worn by patients, guests and employees at all of our facilities, practicing social distancing and taking extra precautions to maintain a clean and sanitary environment for you and your loved ones.

Virtual Visits

Did you know that you can see your provider via video using your smartphone or camera-enabled computer? Many of our physicians offer virtual visits to help you receive quality care without needing to leave the comfort of your home. To schedule a virtual visit, please call our practices so they can learn about the nature of your visit and help determine if it is appropriate for virtual care. If your visit qualifies for virtual care, someone schedule your appointment and email you a link to begin your visit when the time comes.

COVID-19 Precautions at Our Practices

In response to COVID-19, a visit to one of our practices will look a little different right now. Below you will find just a few of the precautions we've put in place:

Masks are required to be worn by all employees, patients and guests, at all times, including your provider.
Social distancing is being practiced among our staff and in our waiting rooms.
Most practices have installed or are using plastic shields at the front desk to protect staff and patients.
All patients and visitors are screened with temperature checks upon arrival.
All practices are following CDC guidelines for more frequent cleaning and sanitation.

Hygiene Reminders from the CDC

Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick. Learn when and how you should wash your hands to stay healthy.

Wash Your Hands Often to Stay Healthy

You can help yourself and your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:

Before, during, and after preparing food
Before eating food
Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
Before and after treating a cut or wound
After using the toilet
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
After handling pet food or pet treats
After touching garbage

Follow Five Steps to Wash Your Hands the Right Way

Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community—from your home and workplace to childcare facilities and hospitals.

Follow these five steps every time.

Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Why? Read the science behind the recommendations.

Use Hand Sanitizer When You Can’t Use Soap and Water

You can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label.

Sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in many situations. However,

Sanitizers do not get rid of all types of germs.
Hand sanitizers may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy.
Hand sanitizers might not remove harmful chemicals from hands like pesticides and heavy metals.

Caution! Swallowing alcohol-based hand sanitizers can cause alcohol poisoning if more than a couple of mouthfuls are swallowed. Keep it out of reach of young children and supervise their use. Learn more here.

How to use hand sanitizer

Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).
Rub your hands together.
Rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry. This should take around 20 seconds.