Screening process for COVID-19 now being followed at Dayton VA

Everyone is now being screened near the gates as they enter the Dayton VA Medical Center campus. This may lengthen entry times, so patients are advised to allow for that when arriving for their appointments. (Contributed graphic)

Everyone is now being screened near the gates as they enter the Dayton VA Medical Center campus. This may lengthen entry times, so patients are advised to allow for that when arriving for their appointments. (Contributed graphic)

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently considers COVID-19 to be a low threat to the general American public, the Dayton VA Medical Center is paying special attention to it. While there are no known cases of COVID-19 at the Dayton VA Medical Center or its clinics, center leaders are taking steps out of an abundance of caution to put the health of veterans and staff first.

Everyone is now being screened near the gates as they enter the Dayton VAMC campus. This may lengthen entry times, so patients are advised to allow for that when arriving for their appointments.

The screening consists of three questions:

1. Do you have a fever or worsening cough or flu-like symptoms?

2. Have you traveled to China, Japan, Italy, Iran or South Korea in the last 14 days?

3. Have you been in close contact with someone, including health care workers, confirmed to have the coronavirus disease?

Per CDC guidance and VA protocols, individuals known to be at risk for a COVID-19 infection are immediately isolated to prevent potential spread to others.

To assist with traffic flow, all veterans, visitors and volunteers are asked to utilize the Gettysburg or South Liscum entrances between 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Monday to Friday.

All three gates will be open to everyone from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday. During evenings and weekends, the Gettysburg and South Liscum gates will be closed – all traffic should come through the North Liscum entrance during nights and weekends.

The screening process will continue seven days a week, 24 hours a day for the foreseeable future.

If you have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with symptoms, call the VA before going to the facility.

For more information about the Coronavirus, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

About the Author