Visitors are being restricted at the Avera medical facilities in Pierre as a precaution against the coronavirus.
Restrictions are in place at Avera St. Mary’s Hospital, Avera Medical Group Pierre, the Helmsley Center, Avera Maryhouse and Parkwood senior apartments.
Starting tomorrow (Fri.), Avera St. Mary’s Hospital, the Helmsley Center and the Avera Medical Group Pierre clinic will allow only one visitor at a time per patient. The visitor cannot have been exposed to COVID-19 or have influenza or flu-like symptoms which are similar to COVID-19 symptoms. The urgent care and walk-in clinic is now by appointment only. Please call 605-224-5901 to schedule an appointment.
Anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should CALL their medical provider first, rather than going directly to your local clinic. Call Avera’s Medical Call Center at 1-877-AT-AVERA (1-877-282-8372). The South Dakota Department of Health has launched a website with COVID-19 information, including number of cases found in the state, at www.covid.sd.gov.
About 80% of patients who have COVID-19 can be treated at home. The rate of patients who experience serious complications is only slightly higher than that of seasonal flu. Typical symptoms of COVID-19 are fever of over 100 degrees, cough and shortness of breath.
