“While widespread testing for COVID-19 is not yet available, we are taking this proactive step to ensure that we are able to quickly scale our response once we are able to access more tests,” says Amy Hoey, RN, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Circle Health and Lowell General Hospital.
Under guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and Lowell Department of Health, Lowell General Hospital has implemented several measures in an effort to protect patients and staff and limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The hospital is currently limiting visitors to two (2) per patient and any visitors must be 18 years or older. The hospital is also encouraging members of the community to refrain from visiting the hospital or outpatient centers unless they have a scheduled appointment or urgent need.
They also strongly recommend that the following individuals do not visit the hospital unless the visit is essential:
- Individuals who have returned from travel to any country identified as having widespread local transmission of COVID-19
- Individuals with upper respiratory tract symptoms, including fever and/or cough.
While widespread testing is not yet available, patients with fever, cough or shortness of breath should call their doctor first before going to the hospital, urgent care center or doctor’s office for care. A primary care provider can often evaluate symptoms over the phone and suggest a care plan.
If you have fever or respiratory symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath and have either traveled internationally in the past 14 days or had close contact with someone who is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-10, please call your healthcare provider.
The hospital urges everyone in the Greater Lowell community to do your part to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by washing your hands often, not touching your face, cleaning things that are frequently touched, covering your mouth when coughing with a tissue or coughing into your elbow and staying home if you are sick.
Lowell General Hospital is well prepared to care for patients with this illness and to protect all other patients and their families, as well as our healthcare providers and staff. The hospital continues to closely follow the latest guidance from federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state Department of Public Health and is scaling its COVID-19 response accordingly.
More up-to-date information regarding the visitor restriction policy and how to protect you and your family, visit patient information. For more information about the COVID-19 virus, visit www.mass.gov/covid19 or www.cdc.gov/covid19.
