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Coronavirus (COVID-19) information

Visitor guidelines

CHI St. Francis Health continues to respond to COVID-19, the safety of our patients, residents, staff, and our communities remain our top priority. Below are the latest visitor restriction guidelines.

We continue to monitor the counties positivity rate for the safety of all and may need to change restrictions based on CDC and MDH guidelines if the positivity rate changes.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with following these guidelines. Please use these guidelines as we lift some of the restrictions.

Hospital visitors

For the latest hospital visitor restrictions click below.

  • Masks/Screening
  • Visitor Guidelines

Questions? Call 218-643-0401

Nursing home visitors

For the latest nursing home visitor restrictions click below.

  • Masks/Screening
  • Visitor Guidelines

Questions? Call 218-643-0549

CHI St. Francis: Current updates

  • Services that have resumed: 
    • The Primary Care/Walk-In Clinic, Elective Surgeries, Lab, X-ray, Inpatient Care, Behavioral Health, Rehab, and ER are staffed and ready. Please call and schedule an appointment or contact your primary care provider so that your health care needs can be attended to.
  • Masks are mandatory. We wear them to protect you; please wear yours to protect us and all those we care for.
  • All those entering the facility will be screened upon entrance.
  • Visitors of inpatient/swing bed patients are to enter and exit via the ER entrance. Please park in the ER parking lot.
  • Thorough cleaning procedures remain in effect.
  • Common areas have been arranged to accommodate social distancing. Please abide by all social distancing guidelines and markings.

COVID-19 vaccine

What you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine

  • Your safety is our number one concern 
  • Stay vigilant to stop the spread of COVID-19 
Learn more

How to get care if you think you have symptoms of coronavirus

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, here are some ways you can access care. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.

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Start with the symptoms checker

Check your symptoms using the chat box on the CHI National website. Click on the blue chat box in the bottom right corner.

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Call your primary care physician

Before going to the hospital, contact your primary care physician for guidance. They may be able to direct you to a local testing site and help you avoid waiting in the emergency room.

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Choose virtual care

We encourage you to consider virtual visits (via phone or video chat) instead of in-person visits, whether you have coronavirus symptoms or not. To set up a virtual visit please visit our clinic page. 

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Contact local emergency care

If you do need immediate care, please call ahead to emergency care before you arrive. They will be able to advise you of the local procedures and best way to be seen.

COVID-19 testing

Our health care providers are in constant communication with local health officials on coronavirus testing. Some of our divisions are offering drive-thru testing services, or outpatient clinics for testing. Check with your health care provider for details.

A test is required in advance of any procedure scheduled in the hospital. Check with your physician's office if you have questions. Learn more about how we are resuming services.

Additional information of testing is available through the CDC website.

Test pricing

In accordance with provisions in the CARES Act, the "cash" price for COVID-19 testing is available here. The actual price a patient may pay will likely be lower, as this price does not take into account insurance coverage or financial assistance a patient may be eligible for. Where testing is available at our own facilities it can typically be provided at a reduced cost. If in-house testing is not available, testing may be performed by an outside lab which sets the price for its test. These cash prices are only for the COVID-19 diagnostic testing itself and are not inclusive of the diagnosis and/or treatment of other medical conditions. Charges are continually reviewed and subject to change.

Public health guidance

About coronavirus

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. COVID-19 is spreading in many parts of the United States. The virus can spread through close contact with someone who is already infected.

Symptoms

Patients with COVID-19 have mild to severe respiratory symptoms that can include fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath. Use the online symptoms checker on the CHI National Website.

Social distancing

Certain behavior changes can help prevent the spread of coronavirus in our communities. Many states have implemented orders asking people to stay home and restricting large gatherings, and people are encouraged to practice "social distancing" by avoiding crowds and remaining 6 feet apart from each other while public places.

Here are a few additional actions you can take to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.
  • Practice social distancing, by avoiding crowds and remaining 6 feet apart from each other while in public places.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces like countertops, door handles, faucets, and phones.
  • Stay home if you are sick.
  • If you need medical care and have COVID-19 symptoms, call ahead first.

Frequently asked questions

We all need to work together to keep our communities safe and healthy in the face of COVID-19. Thank you for your seeking to lend your support. Here are some ways you can help:

  • In-kind donations may be donated to the hospital.
  • N95 masks that are new and contained in unused/unopened packaging are needed and may be donated to the hospital.
  • Please continue to follow the recomended CDC guidelines. Practice social distancing, Sanitize your hands often, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, stay home if you are sick.

Our Primary Care and Walk-In Clinic have resumed appointments. Virtual visits are encouraged and available when you make an appointment with the clinic. Other services that have resumed include: Elective Surgeries, Lab, X-ray, Inpatient Care, Behavioral Health, and Rehab. Please call and schedule an appointment.

A virtual visit can be a safer option for health care providers and patients by reducing potential infectious exposures. With the spread of coronavirus, using virtual health visits can help people get medical advice without needing to visit a physical care location, and reduce the number of incoming patients. A virtual visit can be a fast and easy way to visit with a provider.

The safety and privacy of our patients is our top priority. Our virtual visits are 100% HIPAA compliant, never recorded, and encrypted to protect your privacy.

For questions about the COVID-19 Vaccine click here to learn more.

MN & ND helpline

Minnesota helpline:

For questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, call 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504
Monday - Friday: 9 am - 4 pm

 

North Dakota helpline:

For questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, call 1-866-207-2880
Monday - Friday: 8am - 5 pm

Additional information

FREE in home testing from state of MN

Visit the link below to learn more.

https://learn.vaulthealth.com/state-of-minnesota/

COVID-19 vaccine

What You Need to Know

Click here to learn more