(McLeansboro, Illinois) Hamilton Memorial Hospital is taking additional precautions to keep patients and staff
safe during COVID-19 pandemic.
A triage tent has been installed outside of the emergency department at 611 South Marshall Avenue in
McLeansboro. This triage tent is not a COVID-19 testing center, but an area to triage patients presenting to
the emergency department with respiratory or Influenza like symptoms.
According to direction given by the Illinois Department of Public Health on March 19, due to COVID-19 test kit
and supply constraints, only hospitalized patient with severe acute lower respiratory illness or those living in
congregate settings that serve vulnerable populations will be tested for COVID-19.
“We’ve installed this triage tent with assistance from our local emergency management team to provide a
location to safely assess patients seeking emergency care with common symptoms associated with COVID-19,”
said Bethany Reyling, Public Information Officer for Hamilton Memorial Hospital District.
Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should not seek emergency care unless they are in medical distress. They
should instead, contact their medical provider and visit Illinois Department of Public Health website for
personal guidance on COVID-19.
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