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Home » News & Media » Ephraim McDowell Health Covid-19 Updates – March 17, 3 p.m.

Ephraim McDowell Health Covid-19 Updates – March 17, 3 p.m.

Ephraim McDowell Health continues to work closely with national, state and local leaders to ensure that we are properly responding to the needs of our patients and Associates as it relates to Covid-19.  At this time we do not have any patients with confirmed cases of Covid-19 in our six county service area; however, it is reasonable to expect that will change as testing increases.  We currently do not have test kits available and are continuing to follow state guidelines for testing symptomatic patients.

In most cases, patients who contract Covid-19 will likely experience symptoms similar to a cold or flu and will not require hospitalization.  Elderly patients and those who are immunocompromised are more likely to have more severe symptoms and require hospitalization.  If patients in our area require hospitalization, Ephraim McDowell is prepared to handle their care.

What if you have respiratory symptoms?

To help ease the concerns of our community residents and the burden of calls being made to our primary care clinics, we are staffing a Call Center effective March 18. You can call (859) 936-8350 if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms or if you have a fever, sore throat or breathing difficulties. A nurse answering the call will assess your symptoms and advise you of the steps you should follow.

For those with further questions about this illness, please call the Covid-19 Hotline at 1-800-722-5725, or visit the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Visitor Restrictions

Ephraim McDowell Health has taken specific steps for the protection of our patients and Associates. Visitors have been restricted at Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center, Ephraim McDowell Fort Logan Hospital and Ephraim McDowell James B. Haggin Hospital to one per patient.  Visitors 80 years old and above, and those 12 and younger are restricted from visiting patients at all of our hospitals.  Overnight visits are currently not allowed, with the exception of births, passing patients, patient sitters and those who are power of attorney or health care surrogates for a patient.  Anyone wanting to visit a patient, but does not feel well is asked to delay their visit until they are well. Anyone entering our three hospitals will be screened and their temperature will be taken. Visitors who have a fever will not be allowed to enter.

Ephraim McDowell Commonwealth Cancer Center

Only patients are allowed inside at this time.

McDowell Place of Danville

Only those involved in the direct care or end of life care of the residents will be permitted to enter the building. Staff and individuals who are permitted to enter will continue to be screened at the front desk. Per CDC recommendations, to avoid potential exposure, we ask that all residents remain in the building. All non-essential transportation for residents will be suspended.

Primary Care Clinics, Specialty Clinics, Rehabilitation Clinics, Diagnostic Clinics and Women’s Breast & Health Center

Only one visitor per patient is allowed inside the facility at a time.

Entrances to Our Hospitals

Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center – The Third Street entrance will be closed effective 9 p.m. on March 17 and it will remain closed until further notice. The South Wing entrance will be open Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. until 9 p.m., and the Emergency Room entrance will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Ephraim McDowell Fort Logan Hospital – Entrances will continue to be used as normal, however these are subject to change.

Ephraim McDowell James B. Haggin Hospital – Main entrance will be closed effective 8:30 p.m. on March 17 and will remain closed until further notice. The Emergency Room entrance will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Elective Surgeries Postponed

Effective Thursday morning, all elective surgeries at our three hospitals and the Central Kentucky Surgery Center will be postponed until further notice.


Learn about our response to COVID-19, our visitation policy, and CDC Resources. Covid Resources