CGH Prepares for COVID-19 Surge
Contact: Rebecca Green
CGH Prepares for COVID-19 Surge:
Although it remains unclear on when Illinois will reach its peak number of COVID-19 cases, CGH in partnership with the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System of Illinois (MABAS-IL) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), continue to prepare for the worst possible scenarios.
On Saturday, April 11, the CGH Emergency Department will open two outdoor minor treatment tents (7 days a week from 11 am to 7 pm) to help with patient volumes in the ED. One tent will be utilized as a waiting room and the other tent will be for the screening, testing and treatment of minor, medical COVID-19 patients. (This may change based on the number of patients and severity of symptoms that come in). The treatment tent will house registration, lab, nursing and a healthcare provider. All patients coming to the ED will be screened in their car and directed to the proper entrance - either the treatment tent or the main ED entrance (for non-COVID related health issues and emergencies). Those with severe COVID symptoms will be guided immediately to the COVID area that has been set up in the Emergency Department.
Please remember: all ReadyCare COVID-19 operations will continue as well and none of the COVID screening/testing criteria have changed at either ReadyCare or the hospital.
As always, Emergency Care is available for all serious or life-threatening health issues! Please do not hesitate to come to the Emergency Department or call 911. (If you are able, call ahead before coming in. But we know that may not always be possible.)