Dunn and Lillington, N.C. – Harnett Health is actively preparing staff, facilities, and resources for the potential of needing to treat patients with Coronavirus (COVID19). As of 3/09/2020 North Carolina remains a low risk for the spread of COVID-19.
Coronavirus (COVID19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It may also spread by touching contaminated objects and then touching mouth, nose or eyes.
Good tips, to avoid any respiratory virus, are to avoid close contact with people who are sick, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, and wash hands often with soap and water for at least 60 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers that contain at least 60% alcohol.
Harnett Health has screening questions in place for when you enter a Harnett Health Physician Practice or Hospital for treatment. If someone meets the criteria they will be asked to wear a mask until a further evaluation can be performed. If you or a family believe you may have been exposed to someone with COVID19 please call ahead to allow staff to prepare for your arrival and decrease the risk of exposure for other patients and staff.
Harnett Health has also implemented visitor restrictions for patients on any respiratory isolation at both Betsy Johnson Hospital and Central Harnett Hospital to only 1 visitor. This will assist in decreasing the spread of illness and conserve needed masks.
North Carolina Poison Control has also set up a COVID19 helpline, which is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The line, which was established by the NC Division of Public Health, is staffed by North Carolina Poison Control’s nurses and pharmacists who are backed by clinical and medical toxicologists, and who have been trained in responding with up-to-date information to a host of questions about coronavirus. The Coronavirus Helpline number is 1-866-462-3821.