Coronavirus 2019: 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 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 20

The safety of our patients, physicians, visitors, volunteers, and staff is always our top priority. As the number of COVID-19 cases around North Texas has grown, we’ve made some changes to how you access our hospitals.

• Patient visitors limited to one person at a time.
• No visitors under the age of 18.
• Visitors will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19.
• We are reducing the number of places you can enter the hospitals. Signage will be posted to direct you to access points.

Please do not visit if you have a fever, cough, shortness of breath, or if you have been near someone with those symptoms.

About COVID-19

Know how to protect yourselves and others

Take these precautions to help 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. For mild illnesses, consider using MethodistNow telehealth service from your home, rather than visiting a clinic or emergency department
• 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 the states of California, Oregon, or Washington

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