COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

If you’re concerned that you’ve been exposed or have general questions regarding COVID-19 please use the following resources:

• Panhandle Health District hotline: 877-415-5225
• Idaho Department of Health and Welfare toll free number for questions about COVID-19: 888-330-3010

Please call your doctor before coming to a medical facility if you are sick or have been exposed. It’s important to prevent the spread of the illness to health care providers, other patients, your family, and the broader community. Please view the latest CDC guidelines here.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus:

If you believe you have Coronavirus/COVID-19 based on meeting all of these criteria and need emergency care, please call the Emergency Department prior to arrival at (208) 265-1020. A staff member will meet you outside.

• Avoid the emergency room and any healthcare facility unless it’s essential.
• Stay home if you’re sick – even if symptoms are mild.
• Practice good personal hygiene habits and social/physical distancing.
• Most up to date information on this rapidly changing situation can be found on the CDC website at CDC.gov.
• You can also receive Idaho-specific updates at coronavirus.idaho.gov.

Important to note about the illness:

• Most people with COVID-19 will have mild illness
• Not everyone needs to be tested and testing is not yet widely available
• We are actively working on plans to care for patients with severe coronavirus
• High-risk patients for severe coronavirus disease are older and have comorbidities (other health issues)

Practice good hygiene:

• Wash your hands, especially after touching any frequently used item or surface.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of your elbow.
• Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible.

Visitor Restrictions and Screening:

Effective Friday, April 3rd at 7:00 am all staff, patients and APPROVED visitors will be given a cloth mask to where while in the hospital.  All persons will enter through the Patient Registration entrance on 3rd Avenue.  Symptom screening will be required.

NO VISITORS will be allowed inside the hospital until further notice.

Exceptions include:

• OBSTETRIC PATIENTS: Will be allowed ONE VISITOR – More Info Here: BGH COVID-19 OB Updates 4.8.2020
• PEDIATRIC PATIENTS: Will be allowed parents/guardians (limit two).

Visitors must meet all four (4) of the following criteria:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Free of fever for 72 hours (by report or measured, if available)
• Free of an acute severe cough
• Free of shortness of breath
• Except for transit to and from, visitors are to stay in the patient’s room for the duration of their visit.

Visitors must follow staff instructions regarding hand washing and the use of personal protective equipment.  This is for the health and overall safety of our staff and patients.  We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in keeping our community safe.

We are continuing with curbside screening Monday-Friday 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, and are appropriately triaging patients for testing at the Bonner General Health Emergency Department.

We have put up a second tent outside the ED for overflow as needed. Each day we are discussing and planning to stay ahead and ensure we are as prepared as we can be.

Call ahead of time to the Emergency Department at 208-265-1020.

When you arrive at the Emergency Department, please stay in your car, and call 208-265-1020, a staff member will come to the patient.

Bonner General Health is working closely with Panhandle Health District on preparedness.

To see the most up-to-date information from our local health district please see their website: panhandlehealthdistrict.org.