To Our Patients and Community Members,
 
We have officially made it to April! We hope that this weekly letter finds all of you well and in good spirits. Over this past week Delta County Memorial Hospital (DCMH) and other local agencies have continued our collaborative efforts to keep the community informed and up-to-date during this time.
 
Today our Incident Command (IC) for Delta County came together with Delta County Administrator Robbie LeValley, DCMH Chief Clinic Officer, Jody Roeber and Director for the Health Department, Karen O’Brian to give a brief update on the Counties current COVID-19 case count. The video can be found on the DCMH and the County YouTube pages.
 
To help in answering some of the communities’ questions, another video will be debuting today again the IC alongside the hospital’s two physicians leading the COVID-19 efforts, Dr. Jennifer Craig and Dr. Sarah Knutson along with the Health Department advisor, Dr. Susan Bright. We all hope you find these informational.    
 
To date, DCMH has conducted 139 COVID-19 tests, with 1 test pending. COVID-19 testing is still being offered to hospitalized, critically ill patients, healthcare personnel appropriate for testing and those on a case-by-case basis. The hospital has created an 8-bed isolated “COVID-ward” with the ability to expand which will be the location of care for COVID-19 infected patients. Patients in this ward will be closely monitored by physicians and nursing staff for any change in their status. 
 
On April 2 DCMH also constructed a Medical Screening Exam Tent at the entrance of the Emergency Department (ED) to protect both patients and healthcare workers. For more information about the latest DCMH updates please visit the latest press release from the Delta County Joint Information Center (JIC).
 
At this time we will be temporarily reducing hours at the DCMH West Elk Walk-In Clinic in Paonia. It will be open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. All clinics (other than DCMH Urgent Care) are utilizing telehealth services to care for patients, simply ask your provider about telehealth options. All patients will be screened and masked prior to entry into any DCMH clinics, and all clinics have designated rooms for respiratory patients to help minimize the risk of exposure.
 
April is National Stress Awareness Month and we know how important it is to have tools to manage stress, especially during this critical time. That is why DCMH is still offering our Behavioral Health Services through Telemedicine at our Clinics across Delta County. To learn more please call your local clinic and ask about the Telemedicine option for Behavioral Health. We have also been, and will continue to share daily mental wellness advice during COVID-19 from our Behavioral Health Specialists on all of our social media platforms.
 
The feedback from the Delta County JIC’s COVID-19 Community Response Campaign: Delta County Resilient has been amazing! Photos from the community continue to pour in showcasing how everyone is Taking Heart, Taking Part and Taking Action . Please continue to share photos, videos and stories that you witness or hear about by using #DeltaCountyResilient or   #CondadodeDeltaResiliente .
 
Remember to wash your hands, practice social distancing and stay at home . It will save lives. As always, we will continue to support all of you just as you have supported us. Thank you!
 
Stay healthy and stay RESILIENT. 

Jacque Davis, MHA
Delta County Memorial Hospital
Marketing Director & Public Information Officer
UPDATED VISITATION POLICY DURING COVID-19
Delta County Memorial Hospital continues to restrict entry to the main entrance of the Hospital and the Emergency Room Entrance.
Main entrance hours:
Monday - Friday: 6 AM - 6 PM
Closed Saturday and Sunday
Emergency Center entrance is open 24/7

  • To reduce the number of people in the hospital and the possibility of spreading coronavirus to our patients and staff, visitors will no longer be allowed. DCMH has a limited number of exceptions, with appropriate screening, for a full list visit our visitation policy webpage.
  • DCMH education classrooms are also being suspended for use until further notice.
  • Ask your primary care provider about the Telemedicine option, available at all DCMH Clinics (except Urgent Care). 
WHAT DO I DO IF I THINK I'VE BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID-19 OR HAVE SYMPTOMS?
DCMH testing criteria has changed to address high risk individuals for COVID-19.
The criteria is as follows:

  • Symptomatic hospitalized patients.
  • Health care providers or essential personnel such as law enforcement, EMS staff with need for patient contact.
  • Immunocompromised status (organ, transplant, HIV, diabetes, chemotherapy/active cancer, immune suppressing medications for rheumatologic disease), emphysema or cystic fibrosis.
  • Other high risk situations taken case-by-case. 

If you have symptoms of a cough, fever, or shortness of breath, please CALL your Primary Care Provider (PCP) clinic for a verbal phone screening and further instructions  BEFORE  going to see your provider.
If you are experiencing severe respiratory distress and/or need immediate assistance , call 9-1-1 and let them know you are concerned you may have COVID-19.
If you present to the Emergency Department and have concerns about COVID-19, and have the symptoms of cough, fever or shortness of breath please remain in your car please and call 970-874-2221 and wait for further instructions.
PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS
We are recommending that community members take the CDC's recommended precautionary measures:

  • Washing your 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.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
LOCAL RESOURCES
  • For answers questions and concerns, please call the Delta County Call Center: 970-874-2172 (staffed 8:00 and to 6:00 pm, Monday through Saturday)
  • For DCMH updates, visit our website
  • Delta County Health Department website
MORE INFORMATION
  • Colorado Department of Health and Environment website
  • Sign up for the CodeRED West Region Colorado Emergency Notification System
  • Colorado State Help Line, CO HELP, at 1-877-462-2911 or email COHELP@RMPDC.org for answers in English and Spanish (Español)
It is Delta County Memorial Hospital's mission to be the people's first choice for accessible, high-quality health services and to enhance the well-being of those we serve.
STAY CONNECTED WITH US
970.874.7681 | deltahospital.org