HARTFORD, Ky. — Ohio County Healthcare has issued several clarifications on current events.
Many are dealing with an overload of medical jargon that can be confusing and overwhelming. Healthcare organizations, like patients, are working rapidly to adapt to an ever-changing environment. One thing remains the same, everyone wants to take outstanding care of their communities.
In order to be tested for COVID-19 at OCH, you must meet the following criteria, coughing, fever, shortness of breath and close contact with a lab-confirmed COVID-19 patient or travel to a CDC classified high-activity area. Thankfully, at this point, Ohio County is still considered a low-activity area. OCH appreciates all who have adhered to the recommended guidelines.
Currently, the references to drive-thru testing or curb-side registration do not mean patient requested testing or on-demand testing. It is a method to keep anyone who is potentially infected away from other people. Patients will still need to meet the CDC criteria and be assigned a testing approval number.
OCH will inform the community when testing is available upon request. Areas with higher populations are obtaining equipment allowing them the ability to test on-site, versus sending to governmental labs. As this technology becomes more widely available, testing will become more common and less restricted.
Test results are automatically reported to the Kentucky Department of Health and posted to kycovid19.ky.gov. The KDPH and OCH are notified of results at the same time. OCH will continue to update this site daily. Testing is not limited in any Kentucky community to delay posting of positive results, but to conserve resources for the critically ill.
Currently, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio County.
If you have symptoms and need direction on where and how to access care, call the OCH COVID-19 hotline at 270-256-5535.
OCH has implemented additional protocols to continue to protect patients and staff.
- Entry into Ohio County Hospital will only be allowed through the Front Lobby from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. or 24/7 through the Emergency Department entrance.
- Visitors to all of OCH facilities will be screened for a temperature. If greater than 100.4, you will not be allowed in patient care areas and will be given health guidance.
- Visitors and Patients who are coughing and sneezing will be required to wear a mask.
- Visitors receiving access will be given a visitors’ badge. If you do not have a badge, you will be asked to return to the registration area.
- OCH continues to expand curb-side registration in many of our facilities to help minimize the spread of contagious illness. This is for the purpose of registration only and does not include a physical assessment.
OCH stands ready to take care of the health of Ohio County.