If you’re not sick, don’t expect to be tested for coronavirus, Providence officials warn
Providence St. Peter Hospital officials said Tuesday they have an emergency room protocol in place for people who show up with symptoms similar to COVID-19, or coronavirus.
But they also warned that if you don’t have those symptoms, do not expect to be tested for the virus.
The emergency room at the Olympia hospital has experienced both: patients who show up with flu-like symptoms and are concerned about coronavirus, and those who just want to be tested for it.
“Just because you ask, and want to be screened, doesn’t make it medically necessary,” said Jackie Brown, the hospital’s director of emergency and critical care services.
The emergency room has been busy, she said Tuesday — but because it’s flu season, not because of coronavirus.
If a patient comes to the ER and has a cough, fever, or runny nose, they will be handed a mask and be asked to wear it. From there, the patient will be asked whether they recently traveled to China, Japan, Italy, Iran or South Korea — five countries where coronavirus is much more widespread.
Hospital staff also will ask if they have been in recent contact with someone with a confirmed case of coronavirus.
If the patient says they recently passed through King or Snohomish counties, where nine people have now died of the virus, the same screening steps apply, Brown said.
“We will attempt to rule out influenza first,” she said. “If they have the flu, chances are it’s not COVID-19.”
If Thurston County does develop its first case of coronavirus, the hospital is prepared with patient isolation rooms and entire medical units within the hospital that can be isolated, Brown said.
“We are ready,” she said.
Brown acknowledged that people are worried about coronavirus. She said the hospital is prepared to educate visitors, but a better option is to call their primary care physicians or the state Department of Health’s information line at 800-525-0127.
Spokeswoman Angela Maki said that if Providence does have a confirmed case of coronavirus, it will be up to DOH or Thurston County Public Health to disclose that information.
Other health care approaches
Capital Medical Center and Multicare, which operates Indigo Urgent Care locations in Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater, could not be reached for this story, but both have information about coronavirus on their websites.
The Indigo sites direct patients to use a web-based service if they meet some of the criteria for coronavirus, such as visiting certain countries or coming into contact with a confirmed case.
“Our certified MultiCare providers have been trained on how to identify this virus and will evaluate your illness, based on CDC criteria, and send you to an appropriate site for further testing or treatment, if needed,” the website reads.
Thurston County Public Health and Social Services recommends these steps to prevent the spread of illnesses:
▪ Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer if washing your hands isn’t an option.
▪ Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
▪ Avoid contact with people who are sick.
▪ Stay home while you’re sick and avoid close contact with others.
▪ Cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
