Memorial Hospital in Jasper Taking Steps to Prepare For Potential Coronavirus Cases

BY: DAVID SHEPHERD, NEWS DIRECTOR

JASPER -- Memorial Hospital in Jasper has begun taking steps to prepare for potential coronavirus cases.

Hospital officials say, while no one has tested positive in Dubois County, they are taking steps to prepare.

The hospital is putting up new signs at all of the entrances listing the criteria for coronavirus.  The signs also instruct patients to put on a face mask and alert staff immediately if they have symptoms of the virus.

In a statement released this week, Memorial Hospital says it is important that you call your doctor or the Emergency Room before you arrive.  Let them know about your symptoms and recent travel history, especially if you’ve traveled to China, Iran, Italy, Japan or South Korea within the last 14 days… 

Officials at Memorial Hospital in Jasper say the most important thing for local residents to do is educate yourself about the virus.

CLICK HERE for more information on coronavirus from the CDC

Health and Human Services Sec. Alex Azar says the majority of people who have died from the virus have been older people and the more medically frail, or people who have existing conditions.  "We're seeing very few if any children who are succumbing to it, in terms of fatality."