Your Health

Mercyhealth on the Front Line of Pandemic

By Chris Linden, executive editor L ong before the fi rst COVID-19 pawearing a mask in public can help you to tients entered local hospitals, the avoid the respiratory droplets that spread team at Mercyhealth was preparing for a this virus. pandemic. Consider scheduling doctor appoint

Elective surgeries were placed on ments virtually, with tools like Mercyhold; hospital visitors were restricted; health’s Virtual Visit, which allows you to and physician appointments were moved check in from a smartphone or computer. online, when possible. Mercyhealth’s Javon Bea Hospital,

“It’s quite striking to me that we with two campuses in Rockford, offers have staff from our clinics who are willtwo dedicated infection units and addiing to come into the hospital to help out tional capacity, should the need arise. if there’s a surge that’s beyond our typiIt’s important to remember that COcal capacity,” says Dr. John Dorsey, chief VID-19 can affect anyone of any age, but medical offi cer at Mercyhealth’s Javon is particularly harmful to people over 60 Bea Hospital. “I’ve even had retired phyand those with underlying health consicians calling to help out. People really ditions. Younger and healthier people want to do something.” shouldn’t be careless, says Dorsey.

There are many ways for the public “What’s important for the public to to help speed along our recovery. know is that our ability to handle this pan

Basic hygiene goes a long way. Wash demic is there,” he says. “But you have a your hands and avoid touching your eyes, great control over whether the surge hapnose and mouth. Social distancing and pens. Everyone needs to take this serious

An Illinois Emergency Management Agency tent at Javon Bea Hospital on Riverside. ly. The best treatment for this, right now, is social avoidance and personal responsibility, and making sure people adhere to these precautions. We’re here to help, but we’d rather you not need us because you did everything you could to prevent it.”

A COVID-19 phone hotline, (833) 648-0057, is staffed by medical experts who can answer questions. A symptom checker is also available online at mercyhealthsystem.org.

Mercyhealth maintains hospitals in Janesville, Walworth, Wis., Rockford and Harvard, Ill., and has several clinics in McHenry County. ❚