We are proud of our community and our associates here in Wamego. I want to thank our associates who are still working in our hospital and clinic to keep our community healthy and prepared.

Please note that we are not allowing any visitors in our inpatient unit at this time. Effective immediately, the hospital is no longer allowing any visitors except in end-of-life situations, where only one visitor per patient will be allowed. All other visitation is limited to virtual visitation.

It is going to take all of us adhering to the CDC and KDHE guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19 infection. While most people who are exposed to COVID-19 will recover with no issues, there are community members who have a high risk of developing life threatening complications. These are the people we need to protect.

• Stay home with your family members, especially if you’re sick.
• Wash your hands often and thoroughly.
• Only leave your home if you need to – to get medications, groceries, or other essentials.
• Call your older family members or neighbors to check in with them and see if they have what they need (they are members of our vulnerable population).

If you think you are sick and are showing symptoms of COVID-19 (fever of 100.3 F or higher, shortness of breath and cough), you can call a local hotline – 785-323-6400. A health care representative will be available from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. In addition, Ascension Kansas has a 24/7 call center for anyone needing COVID-19 information. That toll-free number, 1-855-782-1039, is staffed 24/7, seven days a week.

We encourage people to call either of those numbers or their primary care physician before making the decision to leave their homes. In most cases, people infected with COVID-19 can successfully – and safely – recover at home. Only in very serious cases will people require hospital treatment or hospitalization.