Spooner Health Updates

  • Spooner Health is now a testing site for Essentia Health. If you have a fever, new or onset cough or shortness of breath, please visit
    www.EssentiaHealth.org/COVID-19
    or call
    1-888-494-0836 to start your free screening today. You do not need to be a patient of Essentia Health. 
  • No visitors are allowed. Exceptions include
    • Pediatric patients in the emergency department with one healthy caregiver 
    • Inpatients receiving end-of-life care (at the discretion of the provider)
    • Vulnerable updates with one healthy caregiver 
  • All outpatient appointments and procedures have been postponed
  • All patients must enter through the emergency department entrance. You will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 upon entry. 
  • Call first and let us make the call. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911. 

COVID-19 Updates

Spooner, WI (April 1, 2020) – Spooner Health is committed to the safety of the community. We continue to work closely with Washburn County Public Health to follow all guidelines and recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). 

Confirmed Cases:

At this time, there are NO laboratory confirmed cases in Washburn County. If a case is confirmed in the County, the Washburn County Public Health Department will communicate that with the public.

Case Reporting:

At this time, we are not reporting numbers of people tested in order to protect patient privacy while living in a small community.

We are reporting laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19, following guidance from WI DHS and CDC. We understand that there are concerns about testing protocol missing cases, but we cannot speculate on potential exposed persons that are not reported to clinics or public health.

 

Travel:

Follow CDC and WI DHS travel guidelines to determine if you need to change your plans. Guidelines update frequently, so check often.

DHS: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/disease/covid-19.htm

CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

CDC has recommended a voluntary 14-day home quarantine for people who have traveled to countries with widespread sustained transmission. CDC is also recommending people practice social distancing after returning from all travel. Travels returning from a Level 3 country or any cruise are required to isolate for 14 days.

If you are unsure about your recent travel and subsequent need for testing or isolation, please call the Health Department at 715-635-4400.

Testing:

  • If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, dry cough, shortness of breath) and are concerned about needed testing, please contact your Primary Care Provider for screening, visit www.EssentiaHealth.org or call the free Essentia hotline at 1-833-494-0836. 
  • Testing may not be recommended at this time if you have mild symptoms that are managable at home. Your provider may instead recommend that you self-isolate.
  • If screening indicates you may have COVID-19 but a provider determines a test is not the best option OR you do not feel you need to contact a provider for your symptoms but are concerned about having COVID-19 stay in isolation until:
    •  3 days (72 hours) have passed since having a fever without using fever-reducing medications
    • AND improvement of respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath)
    • AND at least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared
  • Testing is not recommended for people with mild illnesses for which they would not normally seek medical care, such as having only mild upper respiratory symptoms.
  • DHS is limiting its testing at the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene (WSLH) and Milwaukee Health Department Laboratory (MHDL) to the highest priority patients and health care workers.
  • Providers are able to order tests through private labs at their discretion for patients that they determine should be tested but do not meet the criteria for testing at WSLH or MHDL. Please note that private labs are starting to be overwhelmed and testing may not be the best option if results will not return until after the quarantine period would end.
  • DO NOT show up to a clinic or ER without calling the facility prior to your arrival.

Illness:

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, dry cough, shortness of breath) and are concerned about needing testing, please contact your primary care provider for screening and to determine if you should be tested. If screening indicates you may have COVID-19 but a provider determines a test is not the best option, or you do not feel you need to contact a provider for your symptoms but are concerned about having COVID-19, stay in isolation until:

  • 3 days (72 hours) have passed since having a fever without using fever-reducing medications AND improvement of respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath).
  • AND at least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

If you are feeling ill, regardless of if you believe you have COVID-19, it is best to practice social distancing and isolate yourself as much as possible until symptoms have stopped.

Note: Healthcare personnel have different guidelines.

Social Distancing:

Social distancing is deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness. Staying at least six feet away from other people lessens your chance of contracting COVID-19.

Examples include: cancelling or postponing conferences and large meetings, not shaking hands, avoiding large group gatherings or activities and staying home as much as possible.

Social distancing can help slow the spread of COVID-19.

People should follow simple steps to prevent illness and avoid exposure to this virus including:

  • Avoid social gatherings with people of all ages (including playdates and sleepovers, parties, large family dinners, visitors in your home)
  • Frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water
  • Cover coughs and sneezes
  • Avoid touching your face
  • Stay home when sick

School Closings

DHS ordered all public and private schools and instituions of higher education to close effective 5:00 pm on March 18, 2020 and to remain closed for the duration of the public health emergency or until a subsequent order lifts this specific restriction.

Individuals should continue practicing social distancing. Resources from DPI on practicing social distancing are available on the county’s coronavirus outbreak page. Families should continue following guidance from their schools on protocol during the closure. Many schools and local businesses have made free meals available for school-age children during the shutdown.

Child Care Facilities

On 3/17/2020, Gov. Tony Evers issued an order restricting the size of all child care facilities effective 3/19/2020 at 8:00 a.m. and is in effect until further notice. Child care settings may not operate with more than 10 staff present at a time and may not operate with more than 50 children present at a time.

Safer at Home

On 03/24/2020, Gov. Tony Evers directed Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Andrea Palm to issue a Safer at Home order that prohibits all nonessential travel, with some exceptions as clarified and defined in the order. The order is effective at 8 am on Weds., March 25, 2020 and will remain in effect until 8 am Fri., April 24, 2020, or until a superseding order is issued.

All individuals present within the State of Wisconsin are ordered to stay at home or at their place of residence, with exceptions outlined this Order.

Under this order, Wisconsin residents are able to:

  • Perform tasks essential to maintain health and safety, such as obtaining medicine or seeing a doctor;
  • Get necessary services or supplies for themselves or their family or household members, such as getting food and supplies or pet food and supplies, necessary for staying home;
  • Care for a family member in another household; and
  • Care for older adults, minors, dependents, people with disabilities, or other vulnerable persons.

Businesses allowed to operate under this order include, but are not limited to:

  • Health care operations, including home health workers;
  • Critical infrastructure;
  • Businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or other vulnerable individuals;
  • Fresh and non-perishable food retailers, including convenience stores, grocery stores, farmers' markets, and food banks;
  • Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, and good directly to residents; 
  • Pharmacies, health care supply stores, and health care facilities;
  • Child care facilities, with limitations;
  • Gas stations and auto repair facilities;
  • Banks;
  • Laundry businesses, dry cleaners, and services necessary for maintaining the safety, sanitiation, and essential operation of a residence, including garbage collection;
  • Hardware stores, plumbers, and electricians;
  • Educational institutions for the purposes of facilitiating distance learning;
  • Roles required for any business to maintain minimum basic operations, which includes security and payroll; and
  • Law and safety and essential government functions will continue under the recommended action.

Designed by: Legato Healthcare Marketing