Q & A on COVID-19

What is the status of events/activities?

To protect our patients and staff, and to minimize the spread of the virus, Trinity Health has suspended several of our normal activities that bring people together in groups. Until further notice, we have cancelled the leadership team’s daily Gemba walk (a Lean process-improvement activity), regularly standing staff meetings and other non-essential meetings. Most business travel has been suspended through May, subject to review of ongoing concerns.

We typically offer a variety of community education activities to promote healthy living for the family, and recently we have postponed or cancelled a number of them to comply with social-distancing and group meetings guidance from public health authorities.

What about social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc)? What should we follow for sources on COVID-19?

Social media provides platforms that promote vast freedom of expression. This means that much of what you see and hear is freely expressed, but not often vetted for accuracy or relevance.

Trinity Health is following the guidelines and best practices of lead authorities that are managing the coronavirus situation at a national and state level: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the North Dakota Department of Health. We utilize social media and traditional media channels to communicate with our region and employees about COVID-19, as well as other health-related topics.

We encourage all community members to focus on the facts of COVID-19 as reported by the CDC and Department of Health, and to remain calm. Be mindful of what you are reading and posting on social media. Seek facts and science, and look to reputable sources for information.

We recommend that all staff stay informed by frequently visiting these online resources:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html

https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus

Can I still give blood?

Vitalant, our blood drive partner, is still moving ahead with scheduled blood drives. In fact, they are reporting an urgent supply shortage and are looking for donors. If you are in good health and have no symptoms, please consider donating blood.

What is happening with food services?

Until further notice, all food orders previously submitted are cancelled, since non-essential meetings have been cancelled. If you need food prepared and delivered for any business reason, please contact Nutrition Services so they can confirm the request with leadership.  For those having food delivered to our campus, you must meet the vender at the door and take the order to your room – venders have been advised the facility is off-limits to the vast majority of daily visits, and food delivery is not a valid exception.