Local health department, medical offices ask patients to help reduce risk of COVID-19

Ozark County Health Department administrator Rhonda Suter recommends following the CDC’s main guideline for dealing with COVID-19: Anyone who is sick with a fever or coughing should stay home and avoid being in groups. 

OCHD does not offer any testing and advises anyone showing possible COVID-19 symptoms to call their physician before going into a medical facility so that proper isolation can be arranged. Suter said doctors will evaluate whether patients should visit the emergency room for testing. 

OCHD  has the authority to order schools to close and to limit large gatherings and events in the county if necessary, Suter said, adding, “I hope it doesn’t come to that.” 

There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ozark County at this time, Suter said. OCHD will inform the  public as soon as it’s notified that a case is confirmed here. 

Families who can’t find or can’t afford infant formula or diapers are encouraged to call OCHD for help at 417-679-3334. 

MOCH

A representative from Missouri Ozarks Community Health said that, upon entering the building, all patients will be asked if they have a cough, fever or shortness of breath, or if they have been out of state in the last two weeks. Those who answer yes to two or more of the screening questions will be given a mask to wear. 

Those displaying symptoms are encouraged to call ahead so entrance through a separate door can be arranged. The facility is not able to test for COVID-19 at this time.

A document detailing MOCH’s COVID-19 response policy as of March 15 is available at https://mo-ozarks.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/coronavirus-march-15-20...

OMC’s Gainesville Medical Clinic

According to its website, “Ozarks Medical Center has implemented a higher level of restrictions as of March 16, to continue to help reduce the possibility of spreading COVID-19 throughout the community”  

OMC’s  Gainesville Medical Clinic does not have the ability to test patients there but can send samples to a lab to be tested. 

These  restrictions apply to all OMC facilities, including the Gainesville Medical Clinic: 

• Anyone who has had a fever or who has felt sick within the previous 24 hours and is not receiving treatment should avoid visiting all OMC facilities.

• Anyone with a scheduled appointment should attend alone unless extra assistance is needed. 

• Everyone should check their temperature before arriving at a facility, and they should call to reschedule if they have a fever. 

FAQs, Coronavirus hotline

Visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html for a list of frequently asked questions about the virus, or call the Coronavirus Information Hotline at 877-435-8411.