As of September 30, Sovah Health has approximately 25 patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 across both campuses, with about 15 located in Danville and less than 10 in Martinsville. This is a decrease from the September 16 update.
The facilities currently have adequate capacity to meet patient needs, including in critical care and intensive care, according to the update from health officials.
Dr. Emmanuel Aguh, a hospitalist, issued a reminder about the hospitals’ visitation policy and guidance on the types of masks.
Not all masks are created equal and some masks are more effective than others, according to Aguh, who shared mask dos and don’ts.
Do:
Wear procedure/surgical masks and cloth face coverings, which help to prevent large-particle respiratory droplets from your mouth and nose from coming into contact with others. They also help to prevent others’ respiratory droplets from coming into contact with your mouth and nose.
Masks and cloth face coverings are most effective at reducing the spread of COVID-19 when used along with social distancing and frequent hand hygiene.
Don’t:
Wear masks with exhalation valves, which reduce the effectiveness of masks and cloth face coverings and pose a potential risk to those around you by allowing unfiltered air to escape. You can pass the COVID-19 virus to others through that unfiltered air, even if you are asymptomatic.
Wear zipper masks or coverings. They are not air-tight, potentially creating risk for yourself and others. It can also be easy to forget to close the zipper, while touching the front of your mask to unzip it can increase risk of contamination.
Wear knitted masks and lace masks. Knitted – or crocheted masks – and lace masks do not provide full coverage and provide multiple openings for respiratory droplets to travel in and out, putting you and others at risk for infection.
Sovah Health continues to take all the necessary precautions to protect patients and staff from COVID-19, including limiting entry points to the facility, screening all individuals for symptoms of COVID-19, universal masking, and maintaining a limited visitor protocol.
Health officials also remind others to do their part to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by practicing social distancing and proper hand hygiene, and wearing a mask or face covering while in public.
For additional information about the hospitals’ preparation and response to COVID-19, visit SovahHealth.com.
