In response to recommendations by CDC and the Illinois Department of Public Health, we are restricting visitors that are under 18 years of age or anyone who has a fever or cough from visiting our Med/Surg and ICU and SCU units. We are also canceling support groups at this time. This is only being done out of an abundance of precaution due to recommendations from the CDC and Illinois Department of Public Health. We have not had any suspected cases of COVID-19 but we are doing our best to limit the spread of infections at this time, to include the flu.

Per IDPH, Person-to-person spread of COVID-19 appears to be mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.  It also may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. That is why proper hand hygiene is extremely important in the preventing the spread of disease. Signs and symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.  Preliminary data suggest older adults and people with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems seems to be at greater risk of developing serious illness from the virus.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Fairfield Memorial Hospital at 618-842-2611 or Horizon Healthcare at 618-842-4617.

The State of Illinois has established a hotline for anyone with questions regarding Coronavirus. The hotline number to call is 1-800-889-3931 or you can email questions to dph.sick@illinois.gov.

We do not want anyone to panic. These are just precautions being taken to help reduce the potential spread of infection.

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