Coronavirus

A: Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause respiratory illness ranging from mild to severe. There are now seven known coronaviruses that can affect humans, and four of them are relatively common, causing cold-like symptoms. The strain of coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is believed to have originated sometime in late 2019.

A: The symptoms of COVID-19 can appear 2-14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Symptoms may not appear for up to two weeks, but you can be infectious even with very mild symptoms that may be mistaken for other things.

A: COVID-19 is spread person-to-person by close contact with an infected person. The more symptoms a person shows the more likely they are to spread the virus. In some circumstances, the virus can live on a surface and be spread by touching the surface and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

A:  Isolate yourself at home to prevent further spread of the disease and call Public Health-North Idaho Central District at 866-736-6632. If you must leave home, use a facemask to prevent spread. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

A: If you are feeling too ill to remain at home, call your health care provider, Public Health-North Idaho Central District at 866-736-6632 or the Gritman COVID-19 Hotline at 208-883-4109. To avoid exposing others to the virus, it is important to call ahead of your arrival at Gritman so you can be isolated.

If you are having a medical emergency, call 911 and describe your symptoms and coronavirus concerns to the 911 dispatcher.

A: Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. Masks are available at the registration desks at each of our clinics and Gritman Medical Center for patients experiencing flu-like symptoms, such as coughing, sneezing or fever.

A: Positive tests performed are reported as “monitored” cases until officially confirmed by the CDC. For the most up to date local information, please utilize the links below.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Idaho State Official Resource for COVID-19
• Washington State Department of Health

A: Yes, but it depends on several factors:
Not everyone needs to be tested. Your doctor will assess your symptoms and other risk factors on a case-by-case basis and work in coordination with public health officials to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.
If your doctor determines that testing for COVID-19 is recommended, a sample can be collected and transferred for laboratory testing.

Public Health – Idaho North Central District
208-882-7506

Gritman Emergency Department 208-882-4511

A: Yes, Gritman will implement our influx of “Infectious Patients Disaster Plan” if and when necessary. This plan will include setting up an alternative testing site location and ensuring supplies are being used resourcefully.

A: We will implement our influx of “Infectious Patients Disaster Plan” if and when necessary, including a tent set up for triage of suspected COVID-19 patients.

A: We are encouraging people to help prevent the spread of illness by not visiting patients in our hospital at this time. We are restricting visitors to those patients under isolation precautions unless otherwise approved by the treating provider.

A: Rigorous safety precautions are used when treating a patient with an infectious disease. It is unlikely that you would have been exposed to the virus simply because you were admitted to the same hospital.