COVID-19 Response

COVID-19 (coronavirus) Response

Click here for current COVID-19 Klickitat County case information

Klickitat Valley Health holds the safety of our patients and staff as a top priority. The spread of COVID-19 continues to be a concern in our community. We closely follow information and recommendations from the CDC and the Washington State Department of Health (WDH) to stay current on confirmed cases and ensure we offer the best care to the people we serve. We also collaborate with other local health organizations, like the Klickitat County Health Department and the Klickitat County Department of Emergency Management, to monitor the health of our community.

• Bookmark this page and follow us on Facebook for the latest information regarding the greater Goldendale Region.

• Interested in donating? Or helping our frontline medical workers by crafting much-needed protection? Help equip our front line medical workers with much-needed items.

• Klickitat Valley Health also cares about your emotional health during this health event. View our COVID-19 playlist on YouTube.

Testing Criteria Update (4/3/20)

Klickitat Valley Health updated its testing criteria to allow for more testing. KVH was able to secure more testing kits and is able to provide increased testing to accommodate a wider range of symptoms that have been reported by patients and healthcare officials.

Testing criteria symptoms include:

• Fever temperature greater than 100.4 degrees F
• Cough that is new or worsened from baseline
• New shortness of breath or worsened from baseline
• Loss of taste/smell
• Chest tightness
• Uncontrollable runny nose
• Sweating/flushing
• Asymptomatic but part of a contact investigation

What is it COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a newly discovered virus first identified in Wuhan, China. This virus can cause health issues ranging from the common cold to severe pneumonia. COVID-19, short for coronavirus disease 2019, is the name of the disease caused by the virus.

How does it spread?

This virus can spread from person to person, mostly between those who are in close contact (within 6 feet), through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Common symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath.

Check your symptoms

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has a Corona Self Checker.

Feeling Sick?

• Mild symptoms: The CDC and state health authorities recommend that you stay home until you feel well. If your symptoms worsen, and you have questions about your medical care, contact your primary care provider.
  

• Severe symptoms: If you develop more severe symptoms, like shortness of breath, high fever, or changes in consciousness, we recommend you go to your nearest emergency room (please call ahead if possible) or call 911.
  

COVID-19 Nurse Helpline

Klickitat Valley Health has launched a free COVID-19 Nurse Helpline, at 509-773-4029, that connects patients with KVH nurses dedicated to screening people with symptoms associated with the new coronavirus.

We are asking that patients with fever and/or respiratory symptoms call the dedicated phone line first before coming to the hospital or family medicine clinic. Pre-screening helps keep the facility safe and allows KVH medical staff to assist patients in getting the right care.

• Patients who are having difficulty breathing should seek medical attention and contact the hospital at 509-773-4022 before arriving, if possible.

COVID-19 Patient Resources

In our continued efforts to support social distancing while supporting patients with their medical needs, Klickitat Valley Health has established new services to deliver care in the safest way possible.

• Curbside Medication Pickup: The KVH Pharmacy is now offering safe and convenient curbside pick up of medications. Parking spots with signage have been designated in the main hospital parking lot for patients to utilize when getting prescriptions. Full information on how to use this service is located on the pharmacy page here.
  

• Telehealth: Klickitat Valley Health has established a Virtual Visit System where you can schedule a secure appointment with a Provider via your mobile device or computer. For information on how to use this service, visit KVH Telehealth.
  

Testing Information

As commercial testing has increased the number of available tests to healthcare facilities, KVH has responded by increasing testing resources necessary to test an increased number of patients with symptoms meeting the testing guidelines. This criteria changes often as information develops. Please refer back to this section for up-to-date testing information.

• How is testing being decided: Klickitat Valley Health follows the updated guidelines from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the University of Washington.
  

• Testing criteria: Please see above revisions effective April 3, 2020.
  

• Testing Timeline: A sample is collected but NOT tested at KVH. The testing itself is supported by LabCorp. Patients will typically learn test results in two to three days, although it could be as long as seven days depending on demand for testing.
  

• Drive-up Testing: The purpose of the Drive Up testing is to allow patients who have mild symptoms and meet criteria for testing for COVID-19 to be tested without coming into the clinic. Patients with moderate - severe symptoms must be seen by a provider in clinic or ED. Patients are advised to call the COVID-19 Nurse line first (509-773-4029). Do not call your Primary Care Provider. The nurse will review testing criteria and make the determination for testing or not. If testing is indicated, the nurse will schedule an appointment for drive up testing. The nurse will obtain necessary demographic information and test the patient. Drive-up testing will be scheduled between 2-4 p.m., Monday - Friday. Increased availability will be determined by availability of testing supplies.
  

What is the best steps for prevention?

To stop the spread of COVID-19, health experts say to:

• Stay home when you are sick. Avoid contact with sick people and stay home if you are sick.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw it away, followed by thorough handwashing.
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects.
• 
  

Guidance for higher risk individuals

The CDC has identified that some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. This includes older people and people with serious chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease.If you or your loved one are in one of these groups, in addition to the general disease prevention tips listed above, here are some additional precautions to take.

Avoid crowded places : Crowded environments such as malls, movie theaters, large gatherings, cruises, etc increase your risk of being in contact with sick people. Avoid hospitals or nursing homes unless you are there to receive medical care.

Have a plan for what to do if you or your caregiver gets sick. Stay in touch with others by phone or email. You may need to ask for help from friends, family, neighbors, community health workers, etc., if you become sick.

Pay attention for potential COVID-19 symptoms including fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you think  you are developing symptoms, call you our COVID-19 Nurse Helpline at 509-773-4029.

Want more Information?

The Washington State Department of Health has established a call center to address questions from the public. If you have questions about what is happening in Washington, or how the virus is spread, please call 1-800-525-0127. Phone lines are currently staffed from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m, seven days a week. Please note that this call center cannot access COVID-19 testing results. For testing inquiries or results, please contact your health care provider.

• World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
•  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: cdc.gov
• Washington State Department of Health: doh.wa.gov
• Klickitat County Public Health: (509) 493-1558 or https://www.klickitatcounty.org/

From the Washington State Medical Association

You can also contact the KVH COVID-19 Nurse Help Line at (509)773-4029 if you are ill want to know if you should be tested.
https://vimeo.com/397827700

What your doctor wants you to know about your COVID-19 RISK from WSMA on Vimeo.