Kootenai Health sets up triage tent for coronavirus testing outside hospital

Taylor Graham by Taylor Graham

COEUR d’ALENE, Idaho — There are currently no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Idaho, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, but doctors at Kootenai Health say they’re ready to respond if that changes.

This week, the hospital set up a testing tent outside the side entrance of its emergency department. The triage site, doctors say, will allow the hospital to test people for COVID-19 without the risk of them infecting other patients and doctors inside the hospital.

“We can keep the patients outside at first because we really don’t want to expose our staff and other patients in the hospital to the virus if it becomes prevalent in our community. Because then we’re getting other patients sick as well as our hospital staff,” said Dr. Robert Scoggins, who serves as medical director of Kootenai Health’s critical care unit.

Since Idaho hasn’t been overrun with cases, the tent isn’t up and running just yet — but it’s there if need be.

“If the outbreak proceeds and there are additional cases, volume starts to get higher, then we have a setup here that really helps us manage that volume and protects both our patients and our caregivers in our emergency department,” said executive vice president of hospital and regional operations Jeremy Evans.

Evans says the hospital has been working closely with the Panhandle Health District, which has set up a hotline to answer questions about the coronavirus. The hotline is staffed weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. When the hotline is not staffed, you will get a message but it should direct you to the right number to call. You can call the hotline at 1-877-415-5225.

If you are showing symptoms — fever, cough, or difficulty breathing — doctors encourage you to call ahead before walking straight into an E.R.

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