Northern Light Health is taking measures to promote the safety and health of our communities and we need your help. You can make a difference in how this virus spreads as this event plays out across our world, country, and state. If you can stay home, please do, it could save someone’s life.
At this moment, the state of Maine has a relatively low number of positive cases for COVID-19, but this is in part because we have not had the resources to test everyone we would like to. It is highly likely that there are many undiagnosed cases, and people without symptoms in our communities. The most important thing you can do right now is help flatten the curve by staying home as much as possible and practicing good physical social distancing. The most effective thing you can do to stay healthy is routinely wash your hands with soap and water for 40 seconds and practice good social, physical distancing of six feet or more. If you feel unwell, if you think you have COVID-19, or if you may have been exposed to someone who does you should stay home, rest, and drink plenty of clear fluids. Keep track of your symptoms. If they persist or worsen call our hotline to be screened 1-844-489-1822. (Call volumes may be high and a wait time to speak with one of our nurses could be long.)
The questions asked on this call help determine next steps for your care, whether it be self-isolating at home, heading to a COVID-19 assessment site, or going to the hospital. The staff who answer the calls on this hotline will help determine the best next steps to ensure you get the right level of care in the right place. Thank you for helping us keep our communities healthy.
Dedicated COVID-19 assessment sites help us prevent the spread of this virus to other patients and staff and help us preserve personal protective equipment. COVID-19 assessment sites also preserve patient care space for those who need it most, help protect our staff at our primary care practices, and make sure we’re using our personal protecting equipment (PPE) and supplies wisely. Visitors to these sites must complete the phone triage process above before being seen.
Updates - Testing criteria has recently changed across Maine and at this time COVID-19 tests are only administered to people in hospitals, healthcare workers and first responders. If these criteria change, we will let you know.
- Please call ahead before visiting one of our hospitals, all of our facilities have recently restricted visitors to help keep our patients healthy.
- Our providers are looking for ways to continue to care for you while respecting the precaution of social distancing. We are launching a virtual visit option using Zoom, it will keep your personal health information safe, and will help you get the care you need from our care teams while you’re at home.
- Northern Light Pharmacy offers a mail order prescription service to help limit possible exposure, and curbside and delivery in some areas, click here to learn more about these services.
We encourage you to stay informed and have created a COVID-19 page on our website to provide you with the most up-to-date information and resources to help guide you to prevent the spread of the virus should you, or a loved one, experience symptoms. Other good resources for information about COVID-19 include the US CDC, the Maine State CDC, and the World Health Organization. The safety and well-being of our community is our highest priority. As this situation continues to evolve, we encourage you to visit our website and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, SnapChat, and Twitter. We will continue you update you with regular emails with all the latest information about COVID-19. Be well and stay safe.
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