Lillian M. Hudspeth Memorial Hospital has the health and well-being of our patients, visitors, healthcare providers and staff as our main priority as we provide a safe environment and the very best care for our patients. We have received several inquiries regarding our preparedness for screening patients and treating any potential cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) or other infectious diseases in our community. Please know, we treat a multitude of conditions utilizing the best practices available. We have strong partnerships with our regional healthcare systems and we will take care of our community to the best of our ability.
We will share information from our partners and also encourage you to check the CDC website and the Texas Department of State Health Services Website for the latest news and updates.
We will continue to monitor the situation and will add additional information as it becomes available and applicable to our current situation.
Free COVID-19 Screenings
Lillian M. Hudspeth Memorial Hospital and Sonora Medical Clinic are providing area residents free corona virus screenings. The service is for people who are worried they may have been exposed to the virus and are suffering from mild to moderate flu-like symptoms. The Providers from Lillian M. Hudspeth Memorial Hospital and Sonora Medical Clinic will answer your questions, provide the screening procedure. Please call the Sonora Medical Clinic Monday - Friday between 8 AM - 5 PM at 325-387-7911, after hours please call the Hospital at 325-387-1151. During this concerning time. The providers are utilizing the CDC’s guidelines to screen patients for COVID-19, which include asking about a patient’s exposure history as well as their symptoms. If our provider determines a patient should receive further evaluation for COVID-19 testing, they will immediately direct them to a local clinic or emergency department for additional testing and coordination with state and local health authorities. If they determine a patient needs emergency care, they will instruct to contact 9-1-1 and notify the closest hospital. If a patient is admitted to Lillian M. Hudspeth Memorial Hospital under investigation for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), that patient will be cared for according to our protocols for dealing with infectious diseases, including treatment in isolated areas in compliance with CDC guidelines.
Take the following everyday steps to help avoid the spread of all respiratory viruses:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, throw the tissue away, and then wash your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects or surfaces such as remote controls and doorknobs. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home if you are sick. Call your doctor if you develop fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.
For more information about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit www.cdc.org.
Notify the Clinic or Hospital staff by phone if you have been exposed or have COVID-19 symptoms before arriving to seek medical attention.
For Questions Call: Lillian M. Hudspeth Memorial Hospital at (325) 387-1151 or Sonora Medical Clinic at (325) 387-7911 for additional information.
COVID-19(coronavirus) Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)?
A: There are many types of human coronaviruses including some that cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses. COVID-19 is a new disease, cause by a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not been previously seen in humans, which was first identified in Wuhan, China, in 2019.
Q: How does COVID-19 spread?
A: Current understanding about how the novel coronavirus spreads is largely based on what is known about similar coronaviruses. The virus is spread mainly from person-to-person between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
Q: What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
A: For confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, symptoms have included fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you have recently traveled from or been in contact with someone who has recently traveled from China, Iran, Italy, Japan, South Korea, or other high-risk countries as identified by CDC, call your primary healthcare provider. Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure.
Q: How can I protect myself and my family from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)?
A: There is currently no vaccine to COVID-19 and the best way to prevent the illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. However, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of illness, including:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 40-60 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask:
- CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including the novel coronavirus.
- Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of the novel coronavirus to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a healthcare facility).
Q: When should I seek emergency care if I am having symptoms of COVID-19?
A: Unless you are experiencing an immediate or life-threatening condition, there is no need to seek emergency care without first contacting your primary healthcare provider. If you have recently traveled from or been in contact with someone who has recently traveled from China, Iran, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Europe or other high-risk countries as identified by CDC, call your primary healthcare provider. Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure.
Q: When is quarantine necessary with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)?
A: Quarantine means separating a person or group of people who have been exposed to a contagious disease but have not developed illness (symptoms) from others who have not been exposed, in order to prevent the possible spread of that disease. Quarantine is usually established for the incubation period of a communicable disease, which is the span of time during which people have developed illness after exposure. For COVID-19, the period of quarantine is 14 days from the last date of exposure, because 14 days is the longest incubation period seen for similar coronaviruses. Someone who has been released from COVID-19 quarantine is not considered a risk for spreading the virus to others because they have not developed illness during the incubation period.
Q: How do you test a patient for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)?
A: If a patient is admitted to Lillian M. Hudspeth Memorial Hospital under investigation for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), that patient will be cared for according to our protocols for dealing with infectious diseases, including treatment in isolated areas in compliance with CDC guidelines. We will work with the CDC to conduct testing and evaluations when necessary and as efficiently as possible.
Q: Am I at risk of contracting coronavirus if I come to visit the hospital or become a patient?
A: We regularly treat patients with infectious diseases and have comprehensive protocols and supplies to ensure we are able to do so with the highest regard to the safety and protection of our patients, visitors, healthcare providers and staff.
If a patient is admitted to Lillian M. Hudspeth Memorial Hospital under investigation for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), that patient will be cared for according to our protocols for dealing with infectious diseases, including treatment in isolated areas in compliance with CDC guidelines.
For more information about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit www.cdc.org.
Other Links
Texas Department of State Health Services: https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/
CDC Fact Sheets: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/factsheets.html
CDC.gov managing -stress-anxiety:https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html
