Coronavirus (COVID-19) Preparedness Information

Our hospital is committed to providing the highest quality care and ensuring the safety of our patients, employees, providers, volunteers and visitors. We are continuing to monitor the evolving situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19) and are taking the necessary steps to ensure we are fully prepared to care for patients, in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and in partnership with our local and state health departments.

Below are a number of resources to help educate you and your family on COVID-19. For the most up-do-date information on the virus, please contact the health department.

QUICK LINKS

MS State Department of Health: http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/14,0,420.html
Mississippi Coronavirus Hotline (8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday): 877-978-645

VISITOR POLICY

(Effective March 1, 2022)

Our hospital’s top priority is safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our patients, providers, employees and community. We continue to closely monitor the prevalence of coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community and follow state and federal guidance as we adapt our operations to safely care for and support our patients. The following visitor policy is effective March 1, 2022.

All visitors are required to check-in with registration for a temperature and symptoms screening. Visitors will be provided a visitor pass that must be worn at all times during the visit. Visitors will check-out with registration and return the pass.
ONE (1) well visitor/caregiver is allowed for all inpatients during the hours of 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. Visitors may enter through the front lobby/main entrance of the hospital Monday through Friday and the Emergency Department on Saturday and Sunday. Additional visitors will not be permitted until the visitor pass is returned to registration.
One well visitor/caregiver will be allowed for patients entering the Emergency Department.
One well visitor/caregiver will be allowed for patients receiving a surgical procedure, both outpatient and inpatient.
ONLY OB patients and pediatric patients will continue to be allowed one well visitor/caregiver for overnight stay.
Long Term Care visitation is dependent on positivity rates for Bolivar County and is determined by the State Guidelines. Visitation policies will be communicated to residents and their families.

GENERAL VISITOR GUIDELINES

Visitors are NOT allowed for intensive care, high-risk, isolation, immunocompromised and/or respiratory patients who are under observation or test positive for COVID-19.
Visitors who fail the kiosk temperature check or exhibit signs and symptoms of illness will not be allowed in the facility.
A MASK IS REQUIRED DURING THE ENTIRE TIME IN THE FACILITY.

Well visitors/caregivers are required to stay in the designated area(s) with the patient.
The cafeteria remains closed to the public.

Visitors must be 18 years or older.

Circumstances may allow for specific exceptions to the criteria above at the physician’s discretion. Flexibility is allowed based on local community COVID-19 activity or other extenuating circumstances.

ONE well visitor/caregiver is strictly enforced.

To stay the most up-to-date, review some additional news items:

Common Questions about COVID-19 Vaccines:

Visit the Vaccine FAQ Page

Download a copy

Variant Strains of COVID-19

What is Bolivar Medical Center doing to prepare for the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant?

Our team is highly skilled at managing and treating infectious diseases of all types, including COVID-19. We are continuing to closely follow guidance from the CDC and our local/state health departments and are adhering to the rigorous health and safety protocols that have always been in place at our facility. These operating protocols were further enhanced when the pandemic began and include:

Requiring masking for everyone inside our facilities
Screening for COVID-19 symptoms
Enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols
Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment
Isolating patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19

Is the Omicron variant more contagious than other strains?

Early data suggest that Omicron is likely more transmissible than any other identified strain – including the Delta variant – which means it is more contagious. Omicron has been detected in most U.S. states and is rapidly increasing the proportion of COVID-19 cases it is causing. The CDC expects that anyone with Omicron infection can spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated or don’t have symptoms.

Is the Omicron variant more deadly than Delta or other previous strains?

We are still learning about the characteristics of the Omicron variant as the research continues to evolve. For now, we know that the best thing you can do is get a COVID-19 vaccine to help protect yourself. Vaccinated individuals are significantly less likely to spread the virus, become severely ill if they do contract COVID-19, require hospitalization or die. 

Do current COVID-19 vaccines protect against the Omicron variant?

Studies are ongoing, but current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant.

Is HOSPITAL testing COVID-19-positive patients for the Omicron variant?

We are/are not testing patients with COVID-19 to determine which strain they may have. The specific type of variant doesn’t impact how we care for COVID-19 patients, nor does it impact the health and safety protocols already in place to protect our team and all those who enter our facilities.

What should our community do to slow the spread of the Omicron variant?

We already have the right tools at our disposal to combat Omicron. The best defense is to get a COVID-19 vaccine and encourage everyone you know to get vaccinated. At this point, most of the patients we are seeing who are hospitalized with COVID-19 are unvaccinated. It is also wise to wear a mask, socially distance from others and practice proper hand hygiene to help slow the spread of illness.

If I have already been vaccinated, should I get a booster shot to help further protect myself against the Omicron variant?

Yes. If you meet the criteria for receiving a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, it is strongly recommended that you get one as soon as possible to help protect yourself and prevent the spread of illness. The CDC recommends that everyone ages 18 years and older should get a booster shot at least two months after their initial J&J/Janssen vaccine or six months after completing their primary COVID-19 vaccination series of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna.

Are breakthrough infections more likely with the Omicron variant if I’m already vaccinated?

Breakthrough cases of COVID-19 are possible regardless of the specific variant, as no vaccine is 100% effective. The good news is that even if you contract COVID-19 after being fully vaccinated, you are significantly less likely to become severely ill or require hospitalization.

Has the Omicron variant been identified in our community?

The best source of information regarding the presence and impact of the Omicron variant in our community is the local health department.

Will there be other strains of SARS-CoV-2?

It is normal for viruses to mutate and develop new strains – this happens with the influenza virus every year, for example. Because of this, there are several different strains of the SARS-CoV-2 currently circulating, and it is likely that other strains may develop over time. It is very important to get a COVID-19 vaccine to help protect yourself and others from any strain of the virus.

Bolivar Medical Center Urges Community Members to Wear Masks

Bolivar Medical Center is urging community members to wear face masks or cloth face coverings in public areas where social distancing is not easily achieved in an effort to help stop the spread of COVID-19. This aligns with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and State Department of Health, as being an effective way to prevent the spread of the illness. The hospital has already instituted a universal masking protocol within its facilities and requires anyone entering to wear a face mask at all time.

Not all masks are created equal. Wear the right one to keep you and others safe. See the image below for guidance. Click the image to download a larger/printable file

Release of Information Request

Due the COVID-19 virus, the Release of Information Department will process all request for medical records via fax and mail. If you would like a copy of your medical record, please complete the HIPAA Authorization Release Form and either fax or mail to the address or fax number below. The HIPAA Authorization Form can also be found on our website at x38i.mypersonalfriends.net. Additionally, if you want a copy of your radiology disk, it too will be mailed. If you have questions please call the number below. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Community & Patient Education Page

Your source for guidance around all things COVID-19.

Contact

For all media inquiries, contact the Director of Marketing at 662-846-2238, or email bolv.bolivarinfo@lpnt.net, or message @BolivarMedicalCenter on Facebook.