Richland Center, WI:  Richland County Emergency Management Director, Darin Gudgeon announced that “not everyone with COVID-19 is symptomatic and not everyone who is sick is being tested.  We have to assume that the virus is everywhere.”  The confirmed cases reported daily by our Emergency Operations Center are properly vetted by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and reported to the community in a vetted local press release that is posted on https://covid.co.richland.wi.us.  As of 8am today, there are two confirmed case of COVID-19 within Richland County.

The Richland Hospital announced that on Friday, March 27th they modified their testing guidelines as to when they are able to test for COVID-19.  These guidelines are derived from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services directives, and are largely driven by a diminishing supply of testing supplies.  The Richland Hospital is only testing patients in Tier 1 or Tier 2 priorities as outlined in COVID-19 Health Alert #3:

TIER ONE:

Patients are critically ill and receiving ICU level care with unexplained viral pneumonia or respiratory failure

– OR –

Patients who are residents of long-term care facilities or other high consequence congregate settings (e.g. prisons or jails), with unexplained fever OR signs/symptoms of acute respiratory illness

– OR –

Post-mortem testing for people who died of unknown causes, if COVID-19 testing would influence infection control interventions or inform a public health response.

TIER TWO:

Hospitalized (non-ICU) patients with unexplained fever AND signs/symptoms of acute respiratory illness

– OR –

Health care workers and first responders with unexplained fever AND signs/symptoms of acute respiratory illness, regardless of hospitalization

– OR –

Essential staff in high consequence congregate setting (e.g. correctional officers) with unexplained fever AND signs/symptoms of acute respiratory illness, regardless of hospitalization.

The Richland Hospital Coronavirus Hotline is available 24 hours/day and patients should call (608) 604-9953 BEFORE coming to the hospital.  The hospital continues to see and treat non-COVID patients who need “essential” medical care, but many of these are being converted to telemedicine appointments to maximize “Safer At Home” and social distancing opportunities.  Some patients are being directed to their Muscoda Health Center or Spring Green Medical Center if they need hands-on care.  Patients needing “essential” medical care should always call the hospital main number 647-6321 before coming to the hospital.

For the most up-to-date COVID-19 information, follow Richland County Health & Human Services on Facebook or consult the following websites:

 

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