SCANABA — With an increase in the number of COVID-19 locally, OSF HealthCare St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group is asking the public to take precautions to prevent the virus from spreading.

An increase in cases has also meant an increase in the demand for testing, they said

Hospital officials said the area has seen a steady increase in positive cases of COVID-19, and taking precautions to protect the health and safety of the community as well as local health care providers is more important than ever.

“While we are deeply committed to providing the best care and treatment to all in support of our mission to serve with the greatest care and love, the strains on our staff and system are real,” said William Hook, MD, director of physician practices at OSF St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group. “We need the continued support and efforts of everyone in our community to help limit the spread of COVID-19 and decrease the burden on our local and regional health care systems.”

He said simple precautions can reduce the spread of COVID-19: wear a mask in public, watch your physical distance from others and practice good handwashing habits or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available. In addition, stay home when you are not feeling well, especially if you have a fever, cough, new loss of taste or smell or other symptoms associated with COVID-19.

“We recognize that our community has already come together to tackle this virus that has disrupted our lives in so many ways,” said Dave Lord, president, OSF St. Francis Hospital. “We need to continue to work together to protect the health and safety of ourselves, our loved ones, and our neighbors.”

The significant rise in COVID-19 cases in the community has also impacted the demand for testing.

In order to best serve the community, the hospital asks the public to note the following guidelines regarding COVID-19 testing and resources:

– If you have questions about COVID symptoms, exposure, or testing, please call your primary care provider whenever possible.

– Drive up COVID testing is available by appointment only. Testing cannot be administered for those who arrive without an appointment.

– If you are not having symptoms, but have questions about COVID, call your primary care provider or the local OSF COVID Triage line at (906) 786-3311, extension 7.

– If you are having mild symptoms, have an OSF primary care provider and would like to be tested for COVID , call your primary care provider’s office for a video visit and to be scheduled for a drive-up test.

– If you are having mild or moderate symptoms, do not have an OSF primary care provider and would like to be tested for COVID – please call the local OSF COVID Triage line at (906) 786-3311, extension 7 to speak with a nurse who will schedule an appointment at the drive-up test location or direct you to the Walk-in Clinic.

– If you are having mild or moderate symptoms and would like to be evaluated, go to the walk-in clinic. Walk-in clinic hours are: Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Holidays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

– If you are having moderate to severe symptoms go to the nearest emergency department.

The local COVID-19 Triage line is manned from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For calls outside of those hours, please call 1-833-673-5669.

If you do not have a primary care provider and would like to become an OSF patient, call the new patient coordinator at (906) 233-4288. In addition, OSF patients should register for an OSF MyChart account at www.osfmychart.org to receive results in the quickest manner possible.

For more COVID-19 information and resources, visit osfhealthcare.org/covid19.