Aspirus Takes Steps to Prepare for Coronavirus Cases

Visitor Restrictions Go Into Effect March 14

(OnFocus) As the situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19) evolves, Aspirus is making preparations to meet the needs of future patients who contract the disease.

Aspirus has implemented temporary visitor restrictions to help limit the spread of COVID-19. Starting on Saturday, March 14 at 10 a.m., visitors are not allowed at Aspirus locations with exceptions that are listed on its website, www.aspirus.org.

Patients under 18 without COVID-19, for example, are allowed two parents or legal guardians, or if they have the virus, one parent or legal guardian.

Visitors will be restricted who show signs of fever or respiratory symptoms and have traveled in the last two weeks to a destination CDC-designated as a Level 3 Warning or Level 2 for novel coronavirus.

There are currently 18 active cases of coronavirus in Wisconsin as of Friday, all of them confirmed this week. The first patient confirmed in Dane County on Feb. 5 has since recovered.

Preparations at Aspirus have included learning about the coronavirus itself, conducting refresher trainings on using personal protective equipment, and identifying how to transport patients from one point to another safely.

“I’ve been impressed by how well our leadership is preparing not just the hospital in Wausau or Stevens Point, but the whole system, for what’s potentially going to be a pretty rough road ahead with the number of patients we have to take care of,” Dr. Steve Phillipson, Director of Hospital Medicine. “A lot of effort is going into making sure we’re prepared for this.”

Aspirus has addressed equipment needs for critically ill patients, such as securing extra ventilators, and has also gone through the process of analyzing each room in the system to identify extra space for patients, he said.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and shortness of breath, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Those who exhibit symptoms should stay home and call their primary health provider, not 911.

Many cases are mild, but those at risk for more serious illness include the elderly, pregnant women, people with heart or lung disease, and those at a greater risk of infection.

The virus is thought to spread person-to-person from close contact, within about six feet. Since no vaccine or drug exists for this new outbreak of coronavirus, exposure should be minimized through social distancing and practices like frequent handwashing and avoiding touching the eyes, nose, and mouth.

Some schools in Wisconsin have chosen to close or extend their spring breaks to combat the spread of COVID-19.

“Kids may come home, be fine, not appear ill at all but be carriers of the virus and infect adults,” said Dr. Phillipson. “If you close down the schools and you decrease those interactions and create more social distance, kids are less likely to spread it to the adults.”

For updates on COVID-19 from Aspirus, visit www.aspirus.org/coronavirus-covid19. Further information is available at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov and www.cdc.gov.

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