Update on Stay-at-Home Order
Idahoans who need medical care can continue to see their doctor under Governor Brad Little’s stay-at-home order. Governor Little announced the order on Wednesday as part of his efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Idaho. Medical facilities are not impacted by the order and will remain open to serve patients.
“Doctors are in the best position to understand how to treat their patients amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” said James Adamson, CEO of Mountain View Hospital and Idaho Falls Community Hospital. “We know ongoing medical needs do not stop because of a pandemic. Our teams are committed to ensuring our community has safe places to go for routine and emergency care.”
Mountain View Hospital, its affiliated clinics and Idaho Falls Community Hospital have taken steps to protect patients and continue to keep healthcare facilities open. Everyone entering the hospitals and doctors’ offices, including employees, will have their temperature checked to make sure they do not have a fever and be asked a series of screening questions to determine their exposure risk to COVID-19. Healthcare facilities have also increased their regular sterilization efforts to keep patients safe.
Patients with chronic medical conditions should not put off regular appointments with their doctors. Currently, the pandemic has not peaked in our community. Delaying regular appointments could put patients in the position of needing treatment or medication refills during the height of the pandemic in Idaho Falls. Idahoans should call their doctor directly to establish a care plan that will keep them safe and address their medical needs.
If you have an unexpected medical emergency, Idaho Falls Community Hospital is always open. It is still safe for patients to come to the hospital to get treatment. Delaying necessary medical treatment can potentially cause larger problems for patients down the road.
Community members are urged to closely follow Governor Little’s stay-at-home order to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and reduce their chance of being infected with the virus.
