COVID-19 Information
Fayette County Hospital is closely following information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Illinois Department of Health and Environmental Control (IL DHEC), to help keep our patients and families informed about the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. FCH has comprehensive infection control policies and procedures in place, and remain committed to keeping our patients, staff, and community safe.
Updated FCH Visitor Restrictions:
Effective Monday, February 22, 2021, one visitor or support person will be allowed to accompany a patient in all areas of the hospital including:
- Outpatient Services
- Outpatient Clinics
- Outpatient/Same Day Surgery
- Emergency Department
- Inpatient Hospital Admission
- Pediatric patients will be allowed one visitor or support person. Additional consideration may be made on a case-by-case basis.
- Consideration will be made for patients that are critically ill or those near end-of-life.
- All visitors/support person MUST wear a mask and be screened at the main entrance of the hospital.
Please know that it is our goal to ensure the health and safety of all our patients, staff, and community.
The Board, Medical Staff, Administration and employees thank you for your cooperation and understanding during this difficult time.
To keep our environment safe for patients and staff, new hospital policies will include:
The Main/Emergency Entrance will be the only entrance to the facility. The ED will remain open and accessible 24/7.
Beginning Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at 1:30pm, the hospital cafeteria will close to the public until further notice.
Effective Monday, March 30, 2020 Fayette County Hospital will be enforcing a No Visitor Policy. Special circumstances will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
A physician’s order is required for COVID-19 testing. Specimen samples can be collected at our facility and sent to LabCorp for testing. To ensure judicious use of resources, only patients who meet the following CDC-approved criteria may receive a physician’s order for testing:
- Signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19, including fever, cough and shortness of breath
- Recent travel to an affected country or state
- Close contact with any persons confirmed to have, or undergoing evaluation of having COVID-19
It is critically important to follow recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public health officials to prevent the spread of respiratory diseases like COVID-19, such as:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
FCH urges patients to please be patient as these measures are implemented in accordance with CDC guidelines. If you feel you have signs or symptoms please contact your primary care physician first or if you need emergency care, please call ahead of your emergency visit to alert our staff. For the latest information about novel coronavirus, visit the CDC’s website.
What Can You Do?
The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. According to the CDC, there are simple everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, which include:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
If you are sick, to keep from spreading respiratory illness to others, you should:
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
The CDC recommends that you seek medical advice if you have been to China or another affected area in the last 14 days, or have been exposed to someone sick with COVID-19 and feel ill with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing. Call the office of your health care provider before you go, and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms. They will give you instructions on how to get care without exposing other people to your illness.