Crawford County is testing according to DHS guidelines
Crossing Rivers Health implemented a staff screening process Wednesday, March 25. This screening is also taking place at the medical center’s north entrance, for patients and visitors. This is in addition to visitor restrictions and other protective measures the hospital has put into place in the last couple of weeks. (Submitted photo)
Crawford County Health and Emergency Management officials report that Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing is currently taking place in Crawford County, in accordance with the following Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) guidelines.
For individuals who:
•Are critically ill and receiving ICU level care with unexplained viral pneumonia or respiratory failure.
•Are Hospitalized (non-ICU) patients with fever or signs and symptoms of lower respiratory tract illness (cough, shortness of breath) and either known exposure to a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patient or travel to an area with sustained community transmission.
•Are hospitalized (non-ICU) with unexplained fever and signs and symptoms of lower respiratory tract illness.
•Are health care workers with unexplained fever and signs and symptoms of a lower-respiratory illness, regardless of hospitalization.
In addition, the Wisconsin DHS COVID-19 testing guidelines further state:
•Asymptomatic (showing no signs or symptoms) patients should NOT be tested.
•Testing should be reserved for making a diagnosis of COVID-19 in patients suspected of having the disease, in order to inform clinical management and infection control decisions.
•Testing is NOT recommended for patients with mild, upper respiratory symptoms, except in limited circumstances. Patients without significant comorbidities, and who are not health care workers, should not be tested if they have mild illnesses for which they would not normally seek medical care. It should be recommended that these patients self-isolate at home until their symptoms improve.
