COVID-19

Tri-County Health Care continues to ensure that our patients have a safe and reliable way to receive care during the COVID-19 crisis. We have developed new guidelines and measures to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

If you believe your symptoms might resemble COVID-19 and want to know if you should be tested, you can complete a free virtual eClinic COVID-19 screening here.

Your Health is Essential and Your Safety is Our Top Priority

Tri-County Health Care has a coordinated response team monitoring the COVID-19 situation. This response includes working with the Minnesota Hospital Association and following guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC). We are ready to safely care for our communities after implementing new staff and patient workflows to accommodate physical distancing, additional personal protective equipment being used and increased testing capabilities.

Early detection

The CDC believes at this time that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as two days or up to 14 days after exposure. See the full list of symptoms from the CDC here.

Mitigation

Due to increased cases in our communities, it is critical to utilize mitigation strategies to limit the spread of COVID-19. These strategies include limiting capacity in indoor spaces, asking employees to work from home, canceling large community events and gatherings, and wearing cloth masks in public.

These mitigation strategies are the most important in slowing the spread of the virus:

If you feel ill, stay home: Everyone is at risk of infection and if you feel sick, the best way to protect others is to reinforce the need to stay home. Monitor your health daily and be alert for symptoms.
Wear a mask: COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets. Masks can prevent infected droplets from entering your airway. Forty percent of people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic. That means you might have the virus and wearing a mask could prevent others from being infected by you.
Physically distance: Limit your physical proximity to others. The CDC recommends maintaining a minimum of six feet between yourself and others.
Hand hygiene: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in a public place, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. Use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.
Cover your cough: Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

These are helpful links to more information from the CDC and MDH:

How to manage COVID-19 symptoms at home
Disinfecting your home if someone is sick
How to properly wash your hands
Steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick
Steps to prevent illness

When to seek emergency medical attention

Our Emergency Department is prepared to take care of critically sick or injured people in our community. We want to stress the importance of not delaying emergency care and to call 911 for any of the following symptoms: chest pain, compound fracture, difficulty breathing, heart attack, head injuries, major trauma, seizures, severe abdominal pain, severe burns, shock, stroke or uncontrollable breathing.
For COVID-19, look for emergency warning signs and seek medical attention immediately if you're having trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, or bluish lips or face.

COVID-19 Vaccine

Vaccine Updates

March 26, 2021: Governor Walz announced that all Minnesotans will become eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine on March 30. Stay tuned for directions on how to register.

March 25, 2021: Tri-County Health Care and Wadena County Public Health hosted a joint COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Maslowski Wellness and Research Center on March 25

Visitor Restrictions

Update - February 24, 2021: Due to the decrease in community prevalence of COVID-19, Tri-County Health Care has updated its visitor restriction guidelines. Individuals receiving inpatient care are now allowed one guest. This guest must be determined before their visit and will be the only guest permitted for that patient. Arrangements are to be made with the care team. The emergency department is also updating its guidelines to allow for one guest per patient.

**All visitors must still be screened for COVID-19 symptoms, always wear a mask and visitor badge while in the facility and stay in areas designated for visitors.

***Patients that test positive for COVID-19 will still not be allowed visitors except under specific circumstances. Arrangements should be made with the care team.

Tri-County Health Care’s visitor policy is intended to protect the health and safety of patients and staff. It is subject to change.

We are testing people with COVID-19 symptoms by appointment at our Wadena location.
Cost:
COVID-19 test - $150
COVID-19 antibody test - $79

ALL OTHER LAB APPOINTMENTS:
To reduce congestion, limit wait times and ensure proper sanitization between draws, appointments are now required for lab patients in Wadena. Schedule your appointment at 218-631-3510.

Clinic Lab Hours:
Monday - Friday
7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Now is the Time

With the increased spread of COVID-19 in our region, our area health care workers need your help. Hospitals are experiencing staffing shortages and a lack of ICU beds which affects access to critical care. Now is the time to stop the spread of the virus, and together, we will.

Clean & Safe

At Tri-County Health Care, we've been working hard to make sure you can still get the care you need. We know your health is essential and your safety is our top priority.

Tri-County Health Care