News
COVID-19 Update from Local Health Experts
July 17, 2020
July 17, 2020: TriCounty Health Department, Uintah Basin Healthcare and Ashley Regional Medical Center have worked together over the past 4 months as the COVID-19 pandemic has progressed to proactively educate and protect our community.
With unvalidated sources of information reporting viewpoints that are oppositional to the medical experts and scientists leading the charge against COVID-19, it is imperative that as a community we adhere to guidance provided by our state and local health departments.
We emphasize that our current green (low-risk) phase according to Utah’s health guidance system does not mean that the infection risk is gone. It simply means that responsibility has shifted to our community (individuals, local business owners, sports organizations, community leaders involved in planning events, etc).
According to the Utah Department of Health, approximately 31,000 COVID-19 cases, 2,000 hospitalizations and 250 deaths have been reported for our state. Our area has been sheltered from widespread circulation in comparison to other counties in Utah. However, the wave we have prepared for is here. Our tri-county area numbers are increasing. With a total of 89 confirmed cases and 6 hospitalizations reported, our local numbers are on the rise.
As Uintah Basin Healthcare and Ashley Regional Medical Center work to conserve personal protective equipment (PPE) and remain adequately prepared with testing supplies and needed staff, we ask for your support to help us crush the curve.
Please adhere to suggested guidelines at this time.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes by using a tissue or sleeve (not your hands).
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your face, especially around your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Clean and disinfect your home and workplace to remove germs.
- Avoid crowds, public areas, and public transportation if possible.
- All non-essential travel outside the Uintah Basin should be restricted.
- Stay home if you feel ill and if possible self-isolate.
- Adhere to suggested social distancing guidelines.
- Wear a mask / cloth face covering in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
*While most everyone should be wearing a mask when social distancing is difficult to maintain, it is imperative that we take extra precautions to protect those most at risk such as the elderly or those with underlying health conditions.
We advise you to be aware of potential exposure. Group gatherings such as family, community or sporting events pose a risk. Please avoid crowds for recreational purposes unless masked and distanced.
In addition to exposure awareness and mitigating risk, we advise you to remain familiar with current symptoms indicative of COVID-19. Symptoms have evolved, and currently include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
If you suspect you have COVID-19 due to exposure to a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, or you have symptoms indicative of COVID-19 not including chronic conditions such as asthma or allergies, please stay home and follow suggested guidelines to protect yourself and others. Contact your provider for possible testing and follow-up. Remember, if you are exposed and 1 or more parties (the infected and/or yourself) are not masked, your risk is higher.
This is a collaborative effort as our local health department and both hospitals continue to follow guidance from the Utah Department of Health and the CDC to protect our community. Both hospitals currently require all staff, patients and visitors to be screened appropriately prior to entering. Please become familiar with current screening requirements and visitation restrictions at local hospitals prior to your visit by monitoring updates at www.ubh.org/covid-19-information and https://www.ashleyregional.com/coronavirus-covid-19-preparedness-information
*Cloth face coverings should NOT be worn by children under the age of 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.