Patients with mild or no symptoms are being asked to not seek tests
Boise, ID – The recent increase in possible COVID-19 cases and patients seeking coronavirus testing has stressed national laboratory testing capabilities, leading Saint Alphonsus Health System to prioritize local testing for patients based on the greatest medical needs and severity of symptoms.
Saint Alphonsus maintains two drive-up assessment sites, at the Meridian Health Plaza and the Nampa Garrity Road Clinic. Both sites have experienced longer lines than normal as the number of COVID-19 confirmed and suspected cases has increased in our communities. Patients who are without symptoms (asymptomatic) and those who are experiencing mild symptoms are asked to consider staying at home while practicing self-care according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. Patients with significant or severe COVID-19 symptoms or urgent medical care needs are encouraged to seek care and testing.
Patients can call the health system’s COVID-19 hotline (208-302-2683), where they can discuss their symptoms with a nurse. Due to the large volume of calls, there may be a delay in speaking with a healthcare professional.
The CDC has identified the following symptoms of COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Saint Alphonsus urges all in our communities to continue practicing physical distancing, good hand hygiene and to wear a mask or face covering when in public.
More information is available at www.saintalphonsus.org/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV