Bellingham

Your health is safe with us

PeaceHealth has multiple safety precautions in place to keep our patients, caregivers and communities safe during the pandemic.

Translated COVID-19 Information:
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  • COVID-19 vaccines at PeaceHealth

    Get information on how to schedule vaccination and booster appointments.

    Learn more

  • Caring for COVID-19 patients

    At PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, all admitted patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 are cared for in an isolated area with special safety precautions. In the interest of transparency and public awareness, we are sharing the current number of patients being cared for who are positive with COVID-19.

    PeaceHealth follows the most current guidance for treating patients with COVID-19, including reviewing available recommendations from the National Institutes of Health. PeaceHealth does not offer treatment options that are not supported by robust clinical evidence, including ivermectin.

    COVID-19 POSITIVE PATIENTS
    27

    The majority of those hospitalized with COVID-19 are unvaccinated.

    Updated by 11 a.m., Monday – Friday

  • Keeping you safe

    PeaceHealth remains committed to providing the care our patients depend on. There are several steps we have taken at all medical centers and clinics to keep you safe when you visit.

    • Screening for symptoms of everyone arriving at our hospitals and clinics   
    • Requiring all caregivers, patients and visitors to wear masks
    • Reconfiguring our facilities to support safe physical distancing
    • Testing every patient before a surgery or invasive procedure
    • Restricting most visitors at hospitals and clinics
    • Treating COVID-19 patients in isolated areas
    • Ensuring surfaces are sanitized to our strict standards
    See how we're keeping you safe

    How PeaceHealth St. Joseph is keeping you safe

  • Visitor restrictions for hospitals

    For the health and safety of you and our community, PeaceHealth is continuing to limit visitor access until COVID-19 is no longer a public health threat. For those that are allowed to visit, please know that face masks are required in all PeaceHealth facilities.

    Type of Patient Number of Visitors Allowed

    Hospital patients who are not positive for or suspected to have COVID-19 may not receive visitors, with the following limited exceptions:

    • 1 visitor for patients receiving end-of-life care
    • 1 parent or legal guardian of a minor
    • 1 support person for patients with cognitive or physical disabilities who require assistance, who may remain with the patient throughout their stay.

    No visitors are allowed for patients at this time, with some exceptions.
    • Hospital patients who are minors

    1 parent or legal guardian of the minor patient
    • Hospital patients who are at end-of-life

    1 visitor
    • Patients with mobility challenges or needing help with discharge instructions

    1 visitor
    • Emergency Department

    No visitors, with limited exceptions
    • Childbirth Center

    1 support person

    Hospital patients who have confirmed COVID-19 may not receive visitors, with the following limited exceptions:

    • 1 visitor for patients receiving end-of-life care
    • 1 parent or legal guardian of a minor
    • 1 support person for patients with cognitive or physical disabilities who require assistance, who may remain with the patient throughout their stay.

    No visitors, with limited exceptions

  • Visitor restrictions for clinics

    No visitors are allowed in clinics except for support persons accompanying patients with physical or cognitive impairments requiring assistance, or clinical situations where a visitor is integral to the decision making and information exchange process (e.g., Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Palliative care, Oncology, major procedural discussions, etc.). Face masks are required of all patients and visitors.

lady with a cough using a tablet device

Think you may have COVID-19?

If you’re experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, use our online symptom checker to evaluate your symptoms. Contact your provider if you think you have COVID-19. If your doctor thinks you need a test, you’ll get one.

Evaluate your symptoms

  • Testing information

    PeaceHealth is administering tests for patients admitted to the hospital, all patients with upcoming procedures, and patients referred by their doctor. All tests must be pre-authorized by a physician.

    All patients receiving a procedure at our PeaceHealth facilities are automatically contacted for COVID-19 screening prior to their procedure, regardless of symptoms.
    If you are a PeaceHealth patient and you or a family member have symptoms, please contact your physician’s office to inquire about getting a COVID test. PeaceHealth clinics are not conducting walk-in testing. You will need to call in advance.

    If you are unable to access testing through your regular healthcare provider, you do not have a healthcare provider, or you are uninsured, here are some other resources to find testing:

     

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    What is novel coronavirus (COVID-19)?

    COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. It was first discovered in December of 2019.
    Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure and can range from mild to severe and can lead to death. The most common symptoms are:

    • Fever or chills
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Fatigue
    • Muscle or body aches
    • Headache
    • New loss of taste or smell
    • Sore throat
    • Congestion or runny nose
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Diarrhea

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will continue to update this list as more is known about COVID-19.

    How do I know if I have COVID-19?

    The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to the flu. Learn more about the differences. You can also evaluate your symptoms using our online assessment tool. Ultimately, you may need a test to determine if you have COVID-19. Generally, your doctor will make that determination.

    What should I do if I have COVID-19 symptoms?

    If you are experiencing any of the common symptoms listed above, you should self-quarantine/isolate at home. Please call your healthcare provider’s office before arriving or scheduling an appointment to determine the appropriate care setting and testing process.

    Call 911 if you have emergency signs such as trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, or bluish lips or face.

    How can I help prevent the spread of COVID-19?

    Health experts recommend these everyday preventive actions, including:

    Is PeaceHealth conducting pre-screening measures to protect patients and caregivers at PeaceHealth facilities?

    Yes, upon arriving at any PeaceHealth location, everyone will be screened for symptoms. Anyone with an elevated temperature will be connected with appropriate care.

    Has PeaceHealth limited visitors to its hospitals and clinics?

    Yes. For the safety and well-being of our patients and caregivers, we are currently restricting visitors and non-essential individuals who enter our facilities. Exceptions are made for certain circumstances. Specific visitor requirements for PeaceHealth facilities are posted in the "Visitor restrictions' section on our website.

    Does PeaceHealth have plans to address high surges of COVID-19 patients?

    Yes. Our plans include significant increases in our ability to provide critical care, including increased staffing, supplies and space. We have dedicated areas for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients within our facilities. We are also actively monitoring hospital volumes and capacity and working with the county and local healthcare systems to adjust as cases fluctuate.

    Does PeaceHealth have availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) for its caregivers?

    Yes. We have sufficient PPE for our caregivers across our health system, including masks, gloves, goggles, N95s, PAPRs and gowns. All caregivers and providers at PeaceHealth are required to wear masks, and each patient and visitor is required to wear a mask.

    Does PeaceHealth provide COVID-19 testing?

    Yes. We currently test all patients for active COVID-19 infection who are admitted to our hospitals regardless of symptoms. All patients receiving a procedure at our PeaceHealth facilities are automatically contacted for COVID-19 screening prior to their procedure. We also offer testing in our PeaceHealth Medical Group clinic and urgent care locations to those with symptoms or concerns about an active COVID-19 infection. Tests must be pre-authorized by a physician.

    Does PeaceHealth provide antibody testing?

    PeaceHealth is offering COVID-19 antibody testing to patients through PeaceHealth Medical Group following a visit with a provider. Also known as serology testing, COVID-19 antibody testing looks to see whether your immune system has responded to the infection. It’s important to know that even if the body has produced antibodies against the virus, it is not yet proven that these antibodies can fight off future infections of the COVID-19 virus, and if even if they can, for how long. Therefore, it’s important to continue to follow all infection prevention measures such as wearing a mask, hand washing and social distancing even if you have a positive result.

  • Donation Information

    We are grateful for the outpouring of support we have seen from our communities during this difficult time. On behalf of our 16,000 caregivers, thank you for your compassion and support of PeaceHealth’s healing Mission. If you would like to offer financial support, we have established a COVID-19 emergency response fund for our community. Every dollar given will stay within the local community. 

    Donate Now

COVID-19 Health Information

Read more COVID-19 related articles
 

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