COVID-19 in Kearny County

COVID-19 Policy

At Kearny County Hospital, we are committed to keeping our team, patients, visitors, and our community safe by implementing key mitigation tactics to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses. We regularly update our processes and policies to promote safety and reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Signage will be posted on kiosks to reflect visitor restrictions and whether self-screening and/or masking optional or mandatory based on our transmission rate/case count and Visitor Guidelines Matrix. The kiosks and posters next to the kiosks list symptoms of potential infectious diseases.

Current Level: 1

Screening

All patients, visitors and team members are responsible for screening for any symptoms corresponding with the current infectious disease. Self-screening will be optional for low and moderate transmission risk (Level 1: Low – Moderate Transmission Risk). For Substantial to High (Level 2-3 accordingly) self-screening with the kiosks will be required for visitors and patients. All team members will continue to self-monitor and report to the COVID-19 team if symptoms occur to determine if testing is needed.

 Masking

While the CDC no longer requires universally masking in every care setting, masking is encouraged and/or required in certain circumstances to promote the health and safety of our team, patients, and communities as masks continue to be a key tool for infection prevention and control:

  • Masking can be required in direct patient care settings at any time based on observing a Level 3 transmission rate/case count.
  • Team Members and/or Patients with symptoms of any illness or confirmed positivity are required to wear a mask while inside the facility.
  • Mask requirements may vary by location. Patients and visitors should be prepared to wear a mask while inside our facilities. Areas that require masking will be clearly identified.
  • Masks are also strongly encouraged in care settings in which a patient or team member is immunocompromised or at high risk of infection.
  • We are sensitive to patient preferences and comfort. If you prefer that those on your care team wear masks, simply ask. We will gladly accommodate your request.
  • Additionally, please respect those around you who choose to wear a mask. The health system continues to encourage masking and respects those who opt to wear a mask to protect themselves and others.

CDC masking guidance no longer includes universal masking in healthcare facilities. To learn more about CDC guidance or check your local COVID-19 community infection rate, visit the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control-recommendations.html

Additionally, the social distancing precautions of barriers (such as plexiglass) are still being encouraged by the CDC. Thus, these barriers must remain in place at this time.

Visitor Restrictions:

The CDC continues to recommend limiting visitors, visitors are restricted when the facility is at a Level 2 and Level 3. When the facility is at a:

  • Level 2 (Substantial Transmission Risk) visitors are limited to 2 visitors per patient at a time
  • Level 3 (High Transmission Risk) all visitors are restricted exempt in instances of
    • Comfort Care/End of Life Circumstances
    • Birth of a Child – allowed 1 visitor
    • Pediatric Patients/Legal Guardian – allowed 1-2 visitors

This is a precaution to protect our patients, team, visitors, and communities. If a visit meets the above criteria, visitors will be screened before being approved to visit. All visitors should be free of symptoms, illnesses, and known exposure.

Visitors will not be permitted, if the visitor:

  • If Visitor is COVID-19 + or Suspected + and is not at the facility for care
  • Has ANY Infectious Diagnosis (such as COVID-19, Flu, RSV, etc.) or related symptoms such as: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing , fatigue , muscle/body aches, headaches, loss of taste/smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.

The CDC continues to recommend limiting visitors, but visitors are not restricted from patients with active COVID-19 infections.

  • The CDC recommends limited in-person visitation while a COVID-19 patient is infectious.
  • At Kearny County Hospital, visitors of COVID-19+ patients should adhere to infection prevention principles consistent with national standards of practice. Visitors are advised to follow current safety guidelines:
  • Wear a gown, surgical mask, eye protection and gloves while visiting.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer when entering and exiting the room.
  • Complete a risk waiver.

Our care team will explain these protocols to visitors and answer any visitor questions.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time. By putting these precautions in place, we are protecting our patients, team, and communities. For more information, please visit our website orhttps://www.cdc.gov/…/community-mitigation-measures.html

Before Entering the Facility, Please Be Prepared to:

  1. Check the Level
  2. You may be asked to screen and put on a mask depending on the current community transmission level.
  3. Sanitize Hands
  4. Socially Distance
  5. Be fever free (100.4 degrees or higher constitutes a fever) and free of all COVID-19 symptoms for over 48 hours if you are visiting. Symptoms include: Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

If you have a fever of 100.4 or higher OR any of the listed symptoms and are here:

  • for CARE, please notify a registration team member right away.
  • to VISIT, please return home until you are feeling better and notify your primary care provider or local health dept. for further guidelines. Please do not return to visit until you are symptom free for at least 48 hours.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Family Against COVID-19

Please continue to follow recommended precautions by the CDC, local and county health officials, including:

  • Get vaccinated
  • Wear a mask when indoors
  • Socially distance
    • Stay 6 feet away from others
    • Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces
  • Hand hygiene
    • Wash your hands often
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
  • Clean and disinfect regularly
  • Monitor your health daily
    • Be alert for symptoms
    • Take your temperature and follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop

Letters from Dr. Miller and Kearny County Health Department

To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, please click here.

To learn more about vaccines at Kearny County Hospital, visit our Vaccine Hub.

As of 11/30/21 Letter from Dr. Miller on current conditions in the community. Click here.

As of 10/27/21 Letter from Dr. Miller on current conditions in the community. Information on booster shots. Click here.

As of 9/1/21 Letter from Dr. Miller on current conditions in the community. Click here.

As of 5/18/21 Letter from Dr. Miller on current conditions in the community. Information on the Pfizer vaccine is also in this document.  Click here.

As of 05/04/21- Letter from Dr. Miller on current conditions in the community. We are staying steady! Click here.

As of 04/06/21- Letter from Dr. Miller on current conditions in the community. We are making progress! Click here.

As of 03/09/21- Letter from Dr. Miller on current conditions in the community. Click here.

As of 03/02/21- Letter from Dr. Miller on current conditions in the community. Click here.

As of 02/02/21- Letter from Dr. Miller on the continuing trends. Click here.

UPDATE UPDATE As of 01/26/21 Letter from Dr. Miller on phase 2 recipients of the vaccine. Click here.

As of 12/22/20 Letter from Dr. Miller on the vaccine. Click here.

As of 12/8/20- Letter from Dr. Miller to the community. Click here.

As of 11/19/20- County update on masks. Click here.

As of 11/11/20- Pandemic update letter for the holidays. Please click here.

Letter from Dr. Miller as of 11/3/2020. Please click here.

As of 10/16/20, Kearny County is currently at COVID-19 Public Risk Level 4. Please continue to follow recommended precautions by local and county health providers. Read a statement from Dr. Drew Miller, Kearny County Hospital’s Chief of Staff and Kearny County Health Officer, on this latest update.

As of 10/15/20, due to the increase in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths related to COVID-19, the county has passed a resolution with two requirements:

  1. Limitation of mass gatherings to 25% of an indoor facility’s set occupancy limit.
  2. Requirement of mask or other face covering for all indoor public properties within the county.

Click here to read the official resolution from the Board of County Commissioners in Kearny County, Kansas.

As of 04/12/21, Kearny County is currently at COVID-19 Public Risk Level 1. Please continue to follow recommended precautions by local and county health providers, including:

  1. Wash your hands
  2. Wear a mask
  3. Watch your distance
  4. Sign up with your local health department to get the vaccine.