Have questions about the COVID-19 vaccines? Listen in as LifePoint Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Christopher Rehm and Chief Nursing Officer Michelle Watson, RN, MSN answer some of the most commonly asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination and discuss its safety and effectiveness. 

The Q&A video with LifePoint Health CMO Dr. Christopher Rehm and LifePoint Health CNO Michelle Watson, RN, MSN is available here: 

Wythe County Community Hospital is committed to providing the highest quality care and ensuring the safety of our patients, employees, providers, volunteers and visitors. We are continuing to work closely with Wythe and Bland County Health Departments and following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure our hospital is prepared with the appropriate plans to detect, protect and respond should anyone in our community contract or be exposed to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19). Additionally, we are reviewing our facility’s robust emergency operations plan and proactively completing a number of preparation checklists out of an abundance of caution.

Wythe County Community Hospital has taken the following measures to prepare, in accordance with CDC guidelines:

• Patients in the Emergency Department, inpatient units and outside clinics are screened based on their recent travel history and respiratory symptoms.
• Personal protective equipment is available, including face masks and eye protection, for example.
• Hand hygiene products are easily accessible throughout the facility.

Importantly, all of the above are standard operating protocols that are in place year-round to help ensure the health and well-being of everyone who enters our hospital.

We want to assure our community that our providers and clinical teams are well-trained and prepared to manage outbreaks of viruses and infectious diseases, including the coronavirus. For more information, contact Wythe or Bland County Health Departments, Virginia Department of Health or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov

Universal Masking

Wythe County Community Hospital is taking every precaution to keep our patients and staff safe, and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our facilities. For this reason, we are following the CDC recommendation [and state/county mandate, if applicable] that anyone who enters our facility must wear a face mask at all times.

Visitors are encouraged to bring their own mask from home to help conserve hospital supplies for patients and staff.

Why wear a mask? Recent studies show that universal masking, in addition to practicing social distancing and proper hand hygiene, can help prevent the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19, especially in individuals who may not know they are ill. And until there is a vaccine, these measures are our best line of defense in protecting not only you, but also our healthcare workers and community members.

Please be smart and do your part. Wear a mask! We all have a responsibility to protect one another against the spread of COVID-19 and make our communities healthier.

For more information from the CDC on face coverings and how to make your own, click here .

To learn more about the many ways we are working to ensure your safety while you are in our care, click here