February 18, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccine Connector

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Minnesota launched the COVID-19 Vaccine Connector at www.mn.gov/vaccineconnector

 

This is a new tool to help Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get their COVID-19 vaccine.
The Vaccine Connector is the next step of the state’s vaccination strategy to meet Minnesotans where they are and connect them to vaccine opportunities, no matter where they live or their personal circumstances.

When Minnesotans become eligible, the Vaccine Connector will alert them of their eligibility; connect them to resources to schedule an appointment; and notify them if there are vaccination opportunities in their area.

Minnesotans age 65+ who sign up with the Vaccine Connector will also be automatically included in the selection process for appointments at state-run community vaccination sites.
Signing up for the Vaccine Connector is easy, safe, and secure — and all Minnesotans should sign up. There will be no cost and no restricted time period for signing up. Health insurance and personal identification forms are not required for signing up. Minnesotans unable to sign up online can have family or friends help them sign up online, or call 833-431-2053 (toll free) for assistance signing up over the phone. Translation is available by phone in all languages.

While vaccine supply from the federal government is extremely limited and simply does not come close to meeting the demand in Minnesota, this tool is an important step toward connecting all Minnesotans with the vaccine so we can be ready as the supply increases in the coming months. We’ve developed a reliable and stable network of ways Minnesotans can get vaccinated including health care systems, local pharmacies, federally qualified health centers, local hospitals, local public health, and state-run community vaccination sites to meet Minnesotans where they are and make sure everyone will have somewhere to go when it’s their turn.

 

• Sign up on the COVID-19 Vaccine Connector to receive updates from the State of Minnesota about your eligibility to receive the vaccine.

• Share the COVID-19 Vaccine Connector with your networks and encourage all Minnesotans to sign up.

• Host an event to sign up your employees or partners.

• Share the COVID-19 Vaccine Connector on social media.

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For more information about COVID-19 vaccination in Minnesota, go to the Minnesota Department of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine information hub at: https://www.health.state.mn.us/.../cor.../vaccine/index.html

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February 1, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccine Phase 1b

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Appleton Area Health was notified that we will receive 400 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA) this week. We are following Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines for Phase 1b vaccine distribution and will be reaching out to patients on our COVID-19 Vaccination waitlist that meet the criteria to schedule a vaccination appointment. Please note that COVID-19 vaccinations are by appointment only and being on the waitlist does not guarantee that you will be immediately called to be scheduled

 

Thank you to all patients who have called and have been put on our COVID-19 vaccination wait list. If you are not currently on AAH’s COVID-19 vaccination wait list, call 320.289.1580 and request to be put on the list.

Appleton Area Health will contact patients to schedule an appointment as vaccine becomes available.

 

Thank you for your patience and understanding through this pandemic.

 

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Respiratory Testing Site Instructions

For the safety of our patients and staff, Appleton Area Health has created Respiratory Testing Site to be used as a collection area for respiratory conditions including, but not limited to COVID. The collection area has a separate entrance away from all other patients or employees and is for patients who have symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, and extreme fatigue.

 

Follow the below steps when seeking care for respiratory illnesses:

 

1. Call Appleton Area Health at 320.289.1580 and ask to speak with the Triage Nurse prior to arriving.

2. If asked to come in for testing, please drive to AAH’s Respiratory Testing Site which is located a designated area on the lower level of our building and wait in your car. Staff will come out and will provide you with further instructions. 

 

Thank you for your cooperation, remaining calm, and following these steps.

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Respiratory Clinic

We have also remodeled a space to be used as a Respiratory Clinic. The Respiratory Clinic will be dedicated to seeing patients that are ill and have tested negative for COVID 19. The respiratory clinic has 3 patient exam rooms and a waiting area to ensure ill patients and well patients are separated. Our main waiting room will be for patients that are here for routine well visits, physicals, and follow up visits for chronic health conditions.

We are following stringent cleaning protocols and taking every precaution to make sure your visit is safe! 

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• To decrease risk of exposure and transmission, our clinic staff is designated to the clinic and will not cross over to other departments.

• All employees are screened and have their temperature checked at the beginning of every shift. If employees present with a fever or symptoms, they are required to exit the building immediately. All staff are required to be tested for COVID-19 twice a week.

• All employees are required to wear masks and eye protection while in the facility.

• Upon arrival, each patient will have their temperature checked and will be asked specific COVID-19 screening questions. 

• Patients are required to wear a mask while in the facility, please do not remove your mask unless asked by a staff member to do so.

• Social distancing of 6 feet is required. Waiting rooms are arranged to ensure social distancing.If you have a driver that brings you to your appointment, we ask that the driver wait in his/her car until your appointment is over to help us limit the number of people in our clinic at one time. 

• If you require assistance from a family member or caregiver during the appointment, they will also be screened at the door and required to wear a mask for the duration of your appointment. 

• Minor children may be accompanied by one parent or guardian.

• Every surface is sanitized after every patient including all door handles, chairs, railings, pens, clipboards, and all other equipment.

• In addition to the above and regardless of patient contact, all door handles, handicapped buttons, handrails, desks, chairs, scales, and faucets will be sanitized every hour.

• Morning appointments (8:00am-11:00am) will be prioritized for those age 65 and older.

 

We are taking all necessary measures and doing everything possible to protect all who seek care, live, and work here. 

Should you have any questions or concerns about scheduling a visit please contact us at 320.289.1580.

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More information about coronavirus can be found on MDH’s Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) website. MDH has set up a COVID-19 public hotline that is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The hotline number is 651-201-3920. 
 
Content source: Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), and Appleton Area Health.

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What you should do if you have symptoms

Seek medical advice if you are experiencing the following symptoms: fever over 100.4 degrees, cough, shortness of breath, or fatigue and have traveled in the last 14 days, or if you have been exposed to anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

 

Call our triage nurse at 320.289.1580 before coming to the Clinic or Emergency Room (calling ahead can help prevent the spread of the virus).

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Appleton Area Health is working with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to stay prepared to manage COVID-19.

COVID-19 is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus that has not been found in people before. Because this is a new virus, there are unknowns, such as how severe the illness can be, how easily is it transmitted between people, among other features of the virus. 

 

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What Appleton Area Health is doing to prepare
Appleton Area Health is working with the CDC and MDH.  Jason Boonstra, is AAH's Infection Control Manager and works to train staff and prevent staff, patients, and visitors from being infected with disease.

In addition to daily communication with CDC and MDH, Jason keeps AAH informed of COVID-19 updates. We have equipped our staff with the training and supplies to provide safe, quality care and we are fully trained to safely accommodate patients with infectious diseases. We have aggressive and proactive infection control measures in place as well as screening procedures for every person that enter our facility. In addition, we have closed our Care Center, Hospital, and Apple Ridge to visitors; and are offering Virtual Care or telehealth visits.

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