DeKALB – Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital is preparing for remote COVID-19 testing, though it won’t be available for walk-ins.
Tests will be provided only if approved by a physician first. A second tent outside the emergency room will provide screening for all who enter the hospital first.
Blue and purple tents could be seen outside of the hospital, 1 Kish Hospital Drive, Thursday, as Northwestern Medicine facilities across the region prepare for coronavirus patients. As of Gov. JB Pritzker’s daily news conference at 3 p.m. Thursday, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in DeKalb County, though the total number of cases rose to 422, and three more deaths were announced.
The remote-testing site outside of Kish hospital is not intended for walk-ups or non-referred patients. Individuals who are concerned they may have COVID-19 should call their physician’s office before visiting to prevent potential spread or Northwestern Medicine’s hotline at 312-47-COVID.
Christopher King, director of media relations and communications at Northwestern Medicine, said the ten-like structures are in part to help protect the health and safety of physicians, nurses, staff and patients.
“The structures, next to a hospital emergency department, provided necessary temporary space to expeditiously and safely screen patients prior to entering the Emergency Department,” King said in a statement.
“A second structure on the hospital campus provide the capability for remote COVID-19 testing,” King continued. “These sites are intended for patients appropriately assessed and referred by an [Northwestern Medicine] physician.”
Source: The Daily Chronicle