Marshall Miles Interviews Dr. Mark Hirko, Sharon Hospital: Entry Points, Testing, and Visitation Changes Effective Oct. 16

COVID-19 update: Sharon Hospital entry points, testing, and visitation changes effective 10/16/2020

SHARON, Connecticut, October 16, 2020 — Friday, Sharon Hospital learned about a cluster of COVID-19 cases within Connecticut’s northwest corner, including the towns of Canaan and Salisbury. At this time, there are no COVID-19 positive patients at Sharon Hospital. Out of an abundance of caution and to safeguard our patients and staff, effective October 16, 2020, Sharon Hospital has limited its open entrances, expanded COVID-19 testing hours, and limited visitation.Sharon Hospital entry points Sharon Hospital’s front main entrance on Hospital Hill Road is closed until further notice. All individuals must use the Emergency Department (ED) to enter Sharon Hospital. All individuals will be screened for risk factors of COVID-19 at the entrance of the ED.COVID-19 testing at Sharon Hospital Sharon Hospital is expanding its COVID-19 testing hours during the outbreak period in the community. COVID-19 testing is available for individuals at:Sharon Hospital, Lab Patient Services Center, 50 Hospital Hill Road, Sharon, CT 06069, First Floor Hours of operation: Monday–Friday, 10–3pm; Saturday, 7:15–11:15amTo schedule an appointment, please call 845-790-8855. Appointments are recommended but walk-ins are welcome.What you need to bring to get a COVID-19 test at Sharon Hospital: Government-issued photo ID (examples: driver’s license, passport)Insurance card (if you have one)Physician order (prescription) for the COVID-19 test. Your healthcare clinician, such as a primary care physician, will tell you if you need to bring a paper order with you or if it will be submitted electronically. If you don’t have a physician order when you arrive for a test, we’ll make arrangements for you to have testing done. You’ll need to then follow up with your healthcare clinician to review the results. If you don’t have a healthcare clinician, call 888-525-4767, Monday–Friday, 7am–6pm, to be connected with a Nuvance Health primary care physician near you.Wear a medical face mask It may take up to 48 hours to get your test results back. Your healthcare clinician will notify you of the results. You can also access your results through the Nuvance Health patient portal here: https://patients.healthquest.org/the-myhq247-patient-portalr more information about COVID-19 testing at Sharon Hospital, please visit https://patients.healthquest.org/covid-19-testingVisitation at Sharon HospitalNo visitors are permitted for any patients at Sharon Hospital unless extenuating circumstances apply. Please review the full visitation policy at https://patients.healthquest.org/covid-19-update