Be Informed. Be Smart. Be Safe.

This page will continue to update you on Southcoast Health’s response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic.

Updated Visitation Policy:

Visitor Policy: Spanish and Portuguese

Community Impact Survey

Complete the Mass Department of Health Community Impact Survey. The information from the survey will be used by to better help people through the COVID-19 crisis by hearing about their experiences and challenges right now. At the end of the survey, you will find a list of resources that help connect you with things like food and economic assistance, mental health and substance use services, and parenting resources.

Stories of Recovery

Standard-Times: “After 25 days at St. Luke’s, Acushnet man beats coronavirus”

Herald News: “‘They saved my life’: After 19 days in Charlton Memorial ICU, Somerset man recovering from coronavirus”

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

As the number of cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) has spread throughout the South Coast region, Southcoast Health is committed to bringing you the latest information, including how to get the most exceptional level of care—protecting yourself from COVID-19, our visitor policy, and much more.

Southcoast Health is adequately prepared and meeting the needs of this coronavirus outbreak. Our infectious disease specialists and healthcare staff are trained and equipped to care for patients with COVID-19 and have procedures in place to keep you safe and help you get the care you need, such as our COVID-19 hotline, telehealth appointment options, MyChart, and more.

Your health and safety are always our top priority.

The Southcoast Health Safety Pledge

Every employee is committed to patients, visitors, and each other. All employees shall understand and abide by the following safety standards:

Separate patients with suspected and confirmed COVID-19 from other patients
Don Personal Protective Equipment in accordance with CDC/DPH guidelines
Don and enforce mandatory masking/face coverings for all staff and patients
Enforce strict social distancing requirements – every 6 feet wherever possible
Screen all staff, patients, and escorts
Perform rigorous cleaning and disinfection protocols between patients and every 2 hours
Clean air filtration systems in our hospitals and facilities
Test all patients admitted to our hospitals for COVID-19
Restrict visitors and companions, limiting possible exposures
Provide Telehealth options available and scheduled when appropriate

COVID-19 UPDATES

SPG Practice Openings and Closings

Southcoast Physicians Group (SPG) is a multi-specialty integrated network of more than 450 providers in southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. All locations are open with the exception of:

Dartmouth Family Medicine (Dr. Addo) – moved to 500 Faunce Corner Road
Fairhaven Pain Management – Permanently closed
Fairhaven General Surgery – Permanently relocated to 300B Faunce Corner Road
Rosebrook Gastroenterology – Temporarily pausing services as of 9/29/2020
Rosebrook Vascular Surgery – Reopening plan to be established in October
Rosebrook Medical Oncology – Telehealth visits until reopening on 9/18/2020
Hyannis Bariatric Surgery – Reopening plan to be established in October
Truesdale Orthopedics – Reopening on 9/7/2020
New Bedford Orthopedics – Permanently closed
Middletown Orthopedics – Temporarily closed
Providence Orthopedics – Temporarily closed

Domestic travel update

Per the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, a number of states have issued travel restrictions. The situation is rapidly changing. For national travel information, please visit www.travel.state.gov.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced Tuesday, 8/4/2020: Effective 8/7, Rhode Island has been removed from DPH’s lower risk state list for MA’s new travel order due to increases in both RI’s positive test rate and cases per 100,000. Exemptions apply for regular commuters. Please visit mass.gov/MATraveler.

All travelers arriving to Massachusetts – including Massachusetts residents returning home – are instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days. Please note the exception: Beginning July 1, 2020, travelers from Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, New York, and New Jersey arriving in Massachusetts are exempt from this directive and need not self-quarantine for 14 days. However, “Essential Workers” are exempt from this requirement only if they are asymptomatic. All asymptomatic essential workers must self-monitor for temperature and symptoms.

Covid 19 Mask Information – Even with a mask, avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and who have a fever and cough.

Steps to Stay Safe – Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Resources During Covid-19 – Community, food and housing resources.

COVID-19 Phone Line Hours Expanded

The COVID Hotline/Triage, Test Scheduling and Test Results lines will continue to remain open, hours of operation below:

COVID Hotline and Triage Evaluation: 508-973-1919

Hours of operation:

Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm
Saturday and Sunday, 8am-5pm

Scheduling a COVID Test Appointment: 508-973-2074

Hours of operation:

Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm

COVID Test Results: 508-973-1911

Hours of operation:

Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm
Saturday and Sunday, 8am-5pm

Holiday Closures for COVID-19 Lines and Testing Tents

The COVID-19 lines and the COVID-19 testing sites at our hospitals will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Serology Testing

Southcoast has instituted serology testing or screening for antibodies in the blood of patients. A body makes these antibodies when it fights an infection like COVID-19. To learn more about serology testing, please reach out to your primary care physician via MyChart or phone.

Information on serology Testing:

Serology or antibody testing cannot tell if you are immune to COVID-19
Tests should not be used to determine whether a patient had COVID-19
Patients with antibodies should still practice social distancing, wear a mask, and adhere to other recommended precautions.
The antibody or serology testing is not for routine individual patient care, but it is an important specialized tool to assist our disease surveillance efforts and has utility in certain pediatric cases.

The CDC clarifies some misconceptions about antibody testing; please share with loved ones and others in your networks who may ask about Southcoast’s program.

Questions the CDC seeks to answer through serology testing:

How much of the U.S. population has been infected with the virus causing COVID-19?
How is this changing over time?
Are there different characteristics, or risk factors, that are associated with infection, such as age, location, or underlying health conditions?
How many U.S. residents experienced mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 illness?
How long can antibodies be found after a COVID-19 infection
How much of the U.S. population is immune to COVID-19 and not able to get infected again?

Questions the CDC cannot answer through serology testing:

How much of the U.S. population is immune to COVID-19 and not able to get infected again?
How many antibodies are needed to protect someone from COVID-19?
How long will someone with antibodies be protected from COVID-19?
Can you be re-infected with COVID-19?
Can people with antibodies return to work?

COVID-19 Public Service Announcement, (Spanish, Portuguese)

Spanish

Portuguese

Messages from Keith Hovan

Photojournalist Peter Pereira’s documented work of health care workers on the frontlines and behind the scenes at Southcoast Health.

Recommendations

Seeking Emergency & Urgent Care

If you are in immediate medical distress, please dial 911
You may also call the Massachusetts Department of Public Health at 2-1-1 or the Rhode Island Department of Health at 401-222-8022
If you don’t have a PCP and/or you’re acutely ill and think you need medical attention, PLEASE CALL AHEAD to our Urgent Care Centers or Emergency Departments if you can and let them know you’re coming in to ensure appropriate treatment and the safety of patients and staff. PLEASE DO NOT COME IN UNANNOUNCED IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.

Seeking COVID-19 Care

Click Here for a Free CDC Assessment to help you determine if you should seek medical services or stay home (This link will bring you to the CDC website.)
Southcoast Health COVID-19 Hotline and Triage at 508-973-1919 (hotline open to the entire community)
Call your primary care provider (PCP) or schedule an appointment via MyChart if you’re not feeling well and seek treatment from you PCP
Consider telehealth for a video visit to safely receive medical treatment from your home

For more information on how to receive medical care and treatment amid COVID-19, please visit our Essential Care page.

Resources

We are in daily communication with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Rhode Island Department of Health in following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Southcoast Health is also coordinating efforts with municipalities and community partners across the region to protect the public against the spread of COVID-19 and to encourage prevention.

Rules

Location changes or closures information:
- Laboratory Services
  - Due to our social distancing requirements, our lab locations are currently not accepting walk-ins. Please call 508-973-5306 to schedule an appointment.

Reminders

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds
Cough and sneeze into a facial tissue and dispose of the tissue immediately
Avoid touching your face
Avoid groups of people and keep six feet of distance between yourself and others. Limit your travel
Clean frequently touched surfaces (including mobile devices)
Stay hydrated and nourished

Messages and Videos From Our Leaders and Clinical Staff

Our administrative and clinical leaders continue to work closely with providers and staff 24/7 to ensure the safety of patients and employees at our hospitals and practices.

A Message from Renee Clark

Southcoast hospitals held a service of ‘remembrance, support and renewal of strength’

A Message from Tonya Johnson

Important Messages from Dr. Hackner

A message from Sharon Jones

A message from Dr. Elizabeth Smith

A message from Phil Oliveira

A Message from Jackie Somerville

Renee Clark Update April 9 2020

A Message from Dr. Hackner

A Message from Keith Hovan

Public Service Announcement Videos

The following messages were recorded on March 13, 2020. Please note the evolving nature of COVID-19, may lead to additional updates.

Watch our PSA in Spanish or Portuguese by selecting the circle under the video.

Statement from Southcoast Health Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Dani Hackner (Spanish, Portuguese)

Stay Informed

To receive the latest updates on COVID-19 and other essential health information, opt-in for Southcoast Health text message alerts.

As always, message and data rates may apply for any messages sent to you from us and to us from you. Message frequency varies. If you have any questions about your text plan or data plan, it is best to contact your wireless provider. To opt-out at any time just reply STOP. Reply HELP for help.

Be Informed. Be Smart. Be Safe.

Thank you for trusting Southcoast Health with your care. Be well.

See this page in Portuguese.

See this page in Spanish.