The Greene County Medical Center continues to work with other health experts in preparation for the community spread of 2019 novel coronavirus. 

As part of the preparation process, the medical center has instituted new restrictions and requirements. All medical center staff and providers undergo daily screenings for COVID-19 upon entering the facility for their shift, reductions are being made to non-essential surgeries and procedures, as well as non-essential staff working remotely when appropriate. Additionally, well visit appointments need to be scheduled between 7am and noon and ill visits from 1-5pm in the Greene County Family Medicine Clinic.

Greene County Public Health Director Becky Wolf says they have seen an increased amount of calls for COVID-19, but also suggests using other state-wide resources such as 2-1-1 and the Iowa Department of Public Health, along with one another new resource.

“There’s also a new website that’s very comprehensive and good. It’s called coronavirus.iowa.gov. If you’re informed and listening to the accurate information then you have some power over how you are feeling.”

Chief Operating Officer Christa Simons says a Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) has been established as a nationwide system to assist healthcare organizations improve their emergency management, planning, response and recovery capabilities for unplanned and planned events. As the Incident Commander, Simons provides daily guidance and communication to all medical center departments.