Coronavirus 2020: What you should know

Please refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or Texas Health and Human Services Department websites for the most up-to-date information

Methodist Transplant Specialists puts patient and staff safety first. We are taking necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Methodist Health System is closely monitoring the coronavirus outbreak, known as COVID-19. Methodist regularly treats patients with infectious diseases, and our physicians, nurses, and clinical staff are highly trained in infection prevention protocols. Specific to COVID-19, we are following the procedures outlined by the CDC and state and federal healthcare authorities.

Modified Visitor Policy, effective Friday, March 13
The safety of Methodist Health System patients, staff and community remains our top priority. To further protect their health, and to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19, we are modifying our visitor policy across all Methodist hospitals, effective Friday, March 13, at 4 p.m., until further notice.

• Patient visitors limited to 2 people - no one under 18, please
• Do not visit if you have, or have been exposed to, anyone who has these symptoms:
  • Fever of over 100.4 F
  • Cough or shortness of breath
  • Body aches and / or headache
  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • Eye infection
  • Been exposed to someone receiving medical care for the flu in the past 7 days

About COVID-19
Know the symptoms

• Patients with COVID-19 have had symptoms similar to the flu, such as:
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

Know how to protect yourselves and others

Take these precautions you would to prevent the spread of germs:

• Perform frequent hand hygiene by washing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizers
• Regularly use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
• Keep areas clean and disinfected, especially surfaces or items that are touched frequently, like your cell phone or tablet
• If you're sick, stay home, except to get medical care.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, your sleeve or elbow
• Avoid shaking hands
• Tell a nurse or physician if you’ve traveled to one of the communities where the virus has spread, such as China, South Korea, Japan, Italy, or Iran; or here in the states of California, Oregon, or Washington State

Know how to get more information

Visit the CDC’s website to learn:

• How COVID-19 is spread
• Who is most at risk
• Global and national locations with cases of COVID-19

Texas law prohibits hospitals from practicing medicine. The physicians on the Methodist Health System medical staff are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Methodist Health System, or any of its affiliated hospitals.