COVID-19 FAQs

General

What changes has Ohio Valley Surgical Hospital made to help ensure the safety of our patients?

During this unprecedented time, OV has taken many steps to help limit the spread of COVID-19 and ensure our facilities are safe for patients and staff. This includes implementing extra screening and sanitization of our buildings. Patients, visitors, and staff are also required to wear masks while on campus. We are limiting those that are allowed into buildings, as well as restricting visitation and continuing to encourage social distancing.

What is the status of surgical procedures at Ohio Valley?

Hospitals are now allowed to perform surgeries that require an overnight stay. If you had a surgery postponed, you can expect to hear from our team soon to reschedule and to learn what to expect while at the hospital, especially those additional safety measures we have in place.

Will I need to do anything specific when I arrive at Ohio Valley?

Upon arrival at our facilities, all patients, visitors, and staff will be screened. Everyone is asked if they have been experiencing a cough, respiratory illness symptoms (difficulty breathing or shortness of breath) or a fever, and if they have been in close contact with someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19. Anyone experiencing these symptoms may be sent home. All patients, visitors, and staff will be given a face mask after being screened if they do not already have one.

Are all of Ohio Valley’s services open?

As of May 2020, all of Ohio Valley’s services have reopened.

What are Ohio Valley’s mask guidelines?

As we learn more about COVID-19 and its transmission, we are adapting our practices in order to provide the safest care to our patients and protect our staff. In alignment with guidelines from the CDC and direction from our state and local governments, we are requiring staff, patients, and visitors to wear face masks at all times while on campus. Patients and permitted visitors will be given a mask to wear, or they may choose to bring their own masks from home. Wearing a face mask is not only an effort to protect yourself but also an effort to help protect others.

Prevention

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) is a virus strain that was first identified in Wuhan, China. Health experts are closely monitoring the situation because little is known about this new virus, and it has the potential to cause severe illness, pneumonia, and death in some cases.

How does COVID-19 spread, and what are the symptoms?

COVID-19 is primarily spread through respiratory droplets. This means that to become infected, you generally must be within 6 feet of someone contagious to come into contact with these airborne droplets. It may also be possible to get the virus by touching a COVID-19 contaminated surface or object and then touching your mouth, nose, and eyes. People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness, which may appear between two to 14 days after exposure. These include:

Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Chills
Fever
Muscle pain
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat

Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have a more mild illness. This list is not all-inclusive. Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

How is COVID-19 treated?

Those infected with this virus should receive supportive care such as rest, fluids and fever control, to help relieve symptoms. For severe cases, treatment should include care to support vital organ functions.

Is there a vaccine?

Yes. There are 3 different versions of the vaccine, all with similar effectiveness: Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. They are being made available to the public on a rolling basis, starting with those who are most vulnerable to infection and in tiers to those least vulnerable.

How can I protect myself ?

Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Wear a face mask to protect yourself and others when you’re out in public.
Practice social distancing. Maintain a 6-foot distance from other people. Avoid large crowds and groups of people.
Stay home if you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Sanitize and disinfecting frequently touched household objects and surfaces.

Why should I wear a mask?

The CDC recommends wearing masks for the following reasons:

A mask can help individuals cover a cough or sneeze, reducing the spread of germs.
A mask will not prevent you from breathing in respiratory droplets which carry a virus, like COVID-19.
Some people with COVID-19 have mild to no symptoms and may be spreading the virus unknowingly. Masks could help cut down how far the virus spreads.
Masks can prevent you from touching your face and can be a visual reminder to practice social distancing.

Further Resources

Where can I find more information?

Please explore the resources below for more detailed information about COVID-19 and the proper steps that can be taken to keep you and those around you safe.