BREAKING: Illinois, Iowa Hospitals Seeing Dramatic Increase in Covid-19 Testing Demand
BREAKING NEWS: Patients in the Illinois and Iowa Quad-Cities and Muscatine may experience longer than usual wait times due to the current spread of Covid-19 and other illness, according to a Friday release from UnityPoint Health – Trinity. It says the Covid situation remains critical as the highly contagious Delta variant spreads in our community.
UnityPoint Health – Trinity encourages the use of online scheduling options to visit a UnityPoint Clinic Express or Express Care
UnityPoint Health — Trinity hospital in Rock Island.
location to be evaluated by a medical provider for a Covid test. This is a faster and more cost-effective option for patients than a visit to the emergency department, the release says. If you have a medical emergency, please dial 911.
UnityPoint Health is following CDC guidance on determining who should be tested, including:
• People who have symptoms of Covid-19.
• People who have had a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed Covid.
• People who are fully vaccinated should get tested 3-5 days after exposure, and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.
• People who are not fully vaccinated should quarantine and be tested immediately after being identified, and, if negative, tested again in 5–7 days after last exposure or immediately if symptoms develop during quarantine.
• People not fully vaccinated with Covid vaccine.
People who have tested positive for Covid within the past three months and recovered do not need to be tested as long as they do not
develop new symptoms, UnityPoint says.
Earlier testing means more treatment options may be available for you. Monoclonal antibody treatment is effective in keeping Covid positive patients out of the hospital, but it needs to be administered early on in the disease. If you have symptoms of Covid or have been exposed to someone experiencing symptoms, call your clinic or provider, practice social distancing and follow the CDC’s recommendations for self-isolation.
“For non-urgent medical needs, including Covid-19 testing, our walk-in clinics and primary care clinics are open to serve you,” said Tricia Fisher, director of clinic operations. “You can book an appointment online through MyUnityPoint or by using the ‘Reserve a Spot’ website feature. This helps reduce your wait and supports social distancing measures while in a waiting room.”
Walk-in clinics are open every day, after hours and on holidays. When you reserve your spot online at unitypoint.org, an automated text message response will guide you through our convenient process.
UnityPoint Clinic – Express Care Locations
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Saturday & Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Moline: 109 19th Avenue, Moline, IL 61265 | (309) 779-7050
• SouthPark Pointe: 3904 16th Street, Moline, IL 61265 | (309) 581-7610
• Bettendorf: 3415 53rd Street, Bettendorf, IA 52722 | (563) 742-4350
UnityPoint Clinic – Express Locations
Monday – Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Bett Plex: 5185 Competition Drive, Bettendorf, IA 52722 | (563) 888-5660
• Duck Creek: 1417 Kimberly Road, Bettendorf, IA 52722 | (563) 949-4503
“We know this is a trying time in our fight against Covid-19, but our community must know that getting the care they need is also essential,” said Toyosi Olutade, MD, UnityPoint Health Chief Medical Officer. “Please, do not delay care if you need it. Emergencies don’t wait. We’re here, safe and ready for you.”
If you have a medical emergency, please call 911 or get to an emergency department immediately. UnityPoint Health is also encouraging patients to keep up with preventative care such as wellness visits, vaccinations, Covid-19 testing and care for chronic conditions.
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