Kim Fundingsland/MDN Dr. Jeffrey Sather, left, Trinity Hospital chief of staff, and Randy Schwan, vice president of mission integration, explained changes in visitation at Trinity Hospital and discussed the current coronavirus pandemic at a press conference on Friday.

Trinity Hospital officials in Minot announced on Friday that all visitation to the hospital, including Trinity Hospital-St. Joseph’s, has been suspended. The action is being taken in response to the current coronavirus pandemic.

“Generally speaking, visitation will no longer be an option for a patient in the hospital,” said Randy Schwan, Trinity Hospital mission integration.

The hospital will make some exceptions if special circumstances are involved, such as end-of-life or newborn intensive care. However, anyone showing signs of respiratory infection, which can be associated with coronavirus, will not be allowed entrance.

Trinity is continuing to conduct tests for COVID-19, or coronavirus, but may not be for much longer. The number of test kits available for COVID-19 is running in short supply. According to Schwan, the expectation is that Trinity will exhaust their supply of test kits within the next few days.

“We expect to conduct testing through this weekend, maybe Monday, but beyond that it depends on more testing kits being available,” said Schwan. “Our intent is to keep testing aggressively while we have the supply.”

Testing, explained Dr. Jeffrey Sather, Trinity Hospital chief of staff, should not be confused with treatment. Testing is done so that the North Dakota Department of Health can compile as accurate information as possible to track the spread of COVID-19.

“As testing starts to dwindle, that is not going to change the way we treat patients,” explained Sather. “The vast majority go home and quarantine for 14 days. For most people it is like a common cold.”

For others though, the virus can be much more serious, even life-threatening.

“There is no anti-viral medication out there for this virus,” stated Sather. “If you have breathing problems we would hospitalize you, put you on a ventilator.”

The main symptoms of COVID-19, said Sather, are fever, cough, and fatique with fever and cough being the primary symptoms.

“About two-thirds of those infected will have cough. Shortness of breath is only in about 15% of the patients,” said Sather. “Is this different than any of us alive have ever seen? Yes, it is. But overall, we are prepared to deal with fluid situations from the federal level all the way down to the local level. We are looking at our services to make sure we can take care of the community and step up to this disease.”

Schwan emphasized that anyone who thinks they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should call Trinity Hospital before coming in, a move necessary to protect the spread of the coronavirus to other people, patients, and staff.

“You must call ahead first,” explained Schwan. “You will be screened and if it is determined a test in necessary, you will be assigned a time.”

The phone number for the main switchboard at Trinity Hospital is 857-5000.