As of March 26th, 2020 there have been no positive cases in Dallam or Hartley Counties. Please continue to practice social distancing and washing your hands. DHCHD has the ability to swab patients, for COIVD – 19, and send tests out with an estimated turnaround time of 5-7 days. We are in the process of bringing testing abilities into our lab in order to shorten the turnaround time to 1-2 days.
Chief of Medical Staff, Dr. Randy Herring, has guidelines for our community to follow:
- If you have mild symptoms, such as sore throat, cough, and fever you can try over the counter medications to control these. If you are unsure what over the counter medications to take you may call your pharmacist for advice. If you have health insurance, they often offer a nurse hotline that may be available to you.
- Remember it is also allergy season. Some allergy symptoms are similar to COVID-19 symptoms. Please try over the counter allergy medications to relieve allergy symptoms.
- If you have severe symptoms such as dehydration, shortness of breath or confusion, you need to be seen by your physician or report to the Emergency Room.
- Limiting Risk Factors: hand washing, social distancing, stop smoking, control blood glucose, and other chronic conditions as your provider recommends.
- If you are high risk, have items you need be brought to you by an outside source, such as a family member, neighbor, or caregiver.
- Quarantines are stressful situations that can cause conflict between friends and family members. Enjoy some sunshine and take a walk, or grab a lawn chair and sit outside, while keeping social distance. These things can help ease stress and tension.
- If you do need to come to the clinic, only the patient and a caregiver or guardian should come. If you can come by yourself that is best. For example: If you have one sick child and three healthy children please find other care for your three healthy children while you bring the sick child to see their provider.
- Please remember DHCHD is a rural facility with limited supplies. We will be preserving our resources for the critically ill.
DHCHD will be updating the public on changes within our District via KXIT Radio at 94.5 FM, and our Facebook page @coonmemorial, tune in or follow us on Facebook for the latest updates. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a good resource for information regarding the best plan of action for your safety, visit their website at https://www.cdc.gov/. If you have more questions, please feel free to message our Facebook page.
