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Call Ahead!
with COVID-19 Symptoms or Exposure
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, call your local healthcare provider before you visit.
Symptoms & exposure
- Fever higher than 100 degrees
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or live in or have recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19
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Additional Resources
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HRMC COVID-19 News Updates
- HRMC Closes to Visitors
March 27, 2020
- HRMC Medical Providers Urge Residents to Stay Safe, Stay Home
March 27, 2020
- HRMC Taking Precautions to Protect Patients, Staff & the Community
March 20, 2020
- HRMC Continues to Recommend Social Distancing
March 20, 2020
- HRMC Updates Visitor Restrictions
March 17, 2020
- COVID-19 Call Center Now Open
March 16, 2020
- HRMC Prepared for Safe Care
March 12, 2020
- Understanding Novel Coronavirus for our Community
February 7, 2020
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Stay Home, Stay Safe!
HRMC Chief of Staff
Dr. Elyse Brock
Watch videos from HRMC's Medical Executive Committee members encouraging the community to help flatten the curve on HRMC's YouTube Channel.
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Huron Regional Medical Center continues to work closely with and is following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and South Dakota Department of Health (SD DOH) to help protect staff and patients from the coronavirus strain known as COVID-19.
What is COVID-19?
It is a respiratory illness that first surfaced in late 2019. It can spread from person to person. Risk of infection is higher in people who are in close proximity to people with COVID-19 such as healthcare workers or household members.
What if I have questions?
The Huron community has a call center to help respond to questions and offer information about the Cornoavirus disease (COVID-19), possible symptoms, patient screening for testing and resources. The call center, which is staffed by medical professionals, can be reached at (605) 353-6214 and will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. If a representative is not readily available, callers should leave a message, which the call center will return.
If it is an emergency, you should call (605) 353-6200 or dial 911 immediately. So staff at the main hospital number can help those that have an urgent medical need, all other COVID-19 inquiries should contact the call center number and leave a message if a representative is not readily available. All messages will be returned and your patience is appreciated.
What do I do if I get sick?
The symptoms of COVID-19 can vary from mild to severe respiratory illness. Follow the CDC guidelines if you are sick. Keep in mind, about 80% of patients who have COVID-19 can be treated at home. The rate of patients who experience serious complications is only slightly higher than that of seasonal flu.
What if I need to get tested?
The Beadle County Unified Task Force has set up processes for testing at a location on the South Dakota State Fairgrounds that will limit exposure. The Task Force is working with the South Dakota Department of Health, which is the entity that determines which patients are tested. Testing is by appointment only and the test must be ordered by a physician.
IMPORTANT: The test is only available to individuals who have been screened by a healthcare provider and referred for the test. When reporting to your local clinic, CALL AHEAD before arriving to conduct this screening process, which will protect patients and staff.
Based on the severity of your symptoms, your provider may ask you to stay home and isolate yourself. Please follow these recommendations from the CDC.
If COVID-19 testing is ordered by the healthcare provider, the healthcare provider must contact the call center directly to request the test for you. After receiving your patient information and an order from the healthcare provider, the call center will contact you to schedule an appointment to be tested. At this time, tests can only be sent to the SD DOH laboratory Monday through Friday. The SD DOH lab will notify your healthcare provider of the test results, which may take up to 3-5 days after receiving the test. The healthcare provider or designated HRMC staff will then contact the patient directly with the results.
What can you do to help protect yourself and family?
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available. View how to wash your hands the right way.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Be sure to wash your hands immediately after.
- Avoid close contact with other people, especially those who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care. Follow the directions of your provider and public health officials if you are sick.
- Refrain from touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Create a family plan to prepare for COVID-19 and develop a stay-at-home kit with food, water, medication and other necessary items.
- Individuals at higher risk for severe COVID-19 illness, such as older adults and people who have chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease, should take actions to reduce your risk of exposure.
HRMC's Health Library has added updated information on COVID-19. Visit the health library by clicing here.
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