SPOKANE, Wash. — Health care leaders in Spokane said most cases of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) won’t require hospitalization.
This comes after three confirmed results in the county prompted a press conference at the Spokane Regional Health District.
As numbers rise across the nation, officials from each of the major health clinics discussed how they’ll work to limit an outbreak.
“We believe that it’s together that we’re going to be able to address this in a coordinated way in the most effective way,” said MultiCare Chief Executive Dr. David O’Brien.
Beginning this week, there’s going to be a list of adjustments made by these health outlets.
MultiCare will limit who can come into the hospital as a visitor and they’re going to screen those who do get access.
Beginning Tuesday, Sacred Heart Medical Center, Holy Family Hospital and other Providence hospitals will also limit visitors as an extra precaution in light of the coronavirus outbreak. Providence is also planning to expand certain areas of the hospital like the intensive care unit.
"We all need to be cognizant that we’re all in this together,” said Providence Health Care COO Peg Curry. “Staying home is going to reduce the number of cross-contaminated patients in our community”
On Wednesday, Kaiser Permanente will transition into a virtual facility.
Instead of in-person visits, they’re focusing on video appointments and 24-hour service for people to call in on or send chats about their condition. From there, if a situation is urgent they’ll be directed to their riverfront medical center for assistance.
Kaiser Permanente Medical Director Dr. David Ward said this will contribute to slowing down the spread.
“So that’s another plug for why virtual visits not only take care of our community needs but also protect our healthcare workers and conserving the precious supply of personal protective equipment,” he said.
Social distancing served as the keyword for all parties throughout the conference and they believe it will ultimately serve as the best prevention method.