Main Line Health continues to closely follow the latest information and updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding the coronavirus pandemic that is rapidly evolving in the United States and abroad. Main Line Health is committed to providing patients, staff and the community with up-to-date information about the COVID-19 outbreak in the region and how Main Line Health is responding.

“The safety of our patients, staff and community is paramount,” says Jack Lynch, FACHE, President and CEO, Main Line Health. “We remain committed to providing a safe environment for all who seek care at our facilities. In an effort to protect the safety and health of our patients and staff, we have instituted several precautionary measures to reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 infection and community spread.”

Those measures include:

• Implementing visitor restrictions and screening protocols
• Canceling all community events and classes hosted by Main Line Health
• Placing volunteer duties and activities on hold
• Restricting on-site visits from third-party vendors
• Restricting deliveries of food, flowers, etc. to patients
• Restricting clinical access for nursing students in training at Main Line Health facilities

Additionally, patients who present at a Main Line Health facility with a fever or symptoms of respiratory illness are to proceed to the nearest main entry to seek assistance in obtaining a face mask. Patients scheduled to seek care at a Main Line Health facility for routine appointments or testing and have a fever or flu-like symptoms should reschedule the appointment or testing and consult their health care provider.

Visitor restrictions in place at Main Line Health

Effective Friday, March 13, Main Line Health is implementing visitor restrictions in inpatient and outpatient areas of all hospitals and health centers. Visitors will not be permitted in inpatient areas, unless clinically necessary as determined by the health care team. In outpatient areas and in maternity units, patients are permitted to have one support person with them. Any approved visitor must pass a risk assessment screening before entry, which includes a series of questions related to travel and respiratory symptoms. For more information specific to maternity patients, visitmainlinehealth.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/covid-19. 

Testing for COVID-19 at Main Line Health

The CDC has developed criteria for identifying a “person under investigation (PUI)” for COVID-19 based on what is known about the previous coronavirus cases. Currently, the test is not available in U.S. hospitals or other primary care settings. Testing criteria is changing daily. Currently, the CDC only recommends diagnostic testing of patients who have a fever or are symptomatic and have been in contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Please be advised: Testing for COVID-19 is not available at all sites across Main Line Health. If a patient feels sick and is at risk for coronavirus, they should call their primary care provider to determine if they are a candidate for testing. If they require testing, their primary care provider will tell them where to go for testing. Any travelers who have recently returned from China, Iran, Europe and South Korea should self-monitor for respiratory symptoms. Before going to the doctor’s office or the emergency room, they should call the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 1.877.PA.HEALTH (724.3258) and their doctor’s office or emergency room before going.

Who can I contact with questions?

If you have concerns or questions about COVID-19 or are exhibiting respiratory symptoms, please contact your primary care provider. If you believe you require emergency care, please call 911. For additional information, please visit mainlinehealth.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/covid-19. You can also find information about coronavirus by visit CDC.gov  or your state’s Department of Health page.

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Public Health Notice: To get the latest information and updates regarding COVID-19, please visit the Montco COVID-19 Data Hub at www.montcopa.org and click on “Corona Virus Update.”

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