The JCHC Covid-19 policy changes to meet the needs of our community. Talk with your provider to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.

COVID-19 FAQ & RESOURCES

JCHC requires masks for patients, visitors and staff

Due to an increase in positive COVID-19 cases in Johnson County, the Johnson County Healthcare Center will be implementing additional measures to help prevent further spread.

Effective immediately, visitors and patients will be required to wear a mask in all areas of the facility. Non-COVID positive inpatients will be limited to two visitors (no one under the age of 12). Entrances into the facility will be limited to The Family Medical Center on the east side of the facility, the Emergency Room on the west side of the building and the main entrance, also on the west side of the building.

Amie Holt Care Center will continue to allow visitation at this time. Please help us protect our vulnerable residents by following these recommendations:

  • Wear your mask – even in the resident’s room.
  • Follow the 6-foot social distancing.
  • Limit visitation times and frequency.
  • If you are not vaccinated, it is safer to visit outside if possible.
  • Please do not linger in the hallway or visit with other residents.
  • Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently
  • We do not recommend that residents leave the facility where they could be exposed to sick people in the community.

The Family Medical Center will continue to administer COVID-19 vaccines to those 12 and older. To receive a vaccine, call the clinic at 684-2228. Please continue to social distance when possible and clean your hands often, either with soap and water for 20 seconds or a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

We appreciate your continued cooperation.

 

JCHC offers Pfizer vaccine to 5 and older

The Family Medical Center at the Johnson County Healthcare Center is now offering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to those 5 years of age and older, along with boosters for those 16 and older.

The two-dose shot is administered 21 days apart in the muscle of the upper arm. According to the CDC, the vaccine was 95% effective at preventing laboratory confirmed COVID-19 in people without evidence of previous infection. Experts believe the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine also helps keep those who receive it from getting seriously ill even if you contract COVID-19 and can help protect people around you.

The Family Medical Center will host Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine clinics from 2 to 4 p.m. every Tuesday. To be included on the list to receive a vaccine at a Tuesday clinic, call 307-684-2228. Parents do not need to be present when the shot is administered. They can call ahead of time to give verbal consent. Below are links to fact sheets and the consent form. The vaccine is free.

For more information about the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, see https://www.fda.gov/media/144414/download. To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and children, check out https://www.nytimes.com/article/kids-covid-vaccine.html?smid=url-share.

To schedule an appointment to receive the Pfizer vaccine, call the clinic at 307-684-2228.

Fact sheets and consent forms:
Pre-vaccination screening
Fact sheet 
V-safe after vaccine information
Consent form

COVID-19 vaccines

COVID-19 vaccines are available at Johnson County Public Health, Corner Stone Pharmacy, Buffalo Prescription Shop, Big Horn Pediatrics & Family Medicine and Johnson County Healthcare Center.

Vaccines are available to everyone 18 and older. The two-dose Moderna vaccine is available at Public Health, the local pharamacies and Big Horn Pediatrics. The one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine is available at Johnson County Healthcare Center.

Call the numbers below to schedule your vaccination:

Johnson County Healthcare Center - 307-684-2228

Johnson County Public Health - 307-684-2564

Corner Stone Pharmacy - 307-620-7071

Buffalo Prescription Shop - 307-684-7003

Big Horn Pediatrics - 307-620-8845

COVID-19 testing information

Multiple COVID-19 tests are on the market today, and it can be a little confusing when trying to determine which test you should take. The good news is that getting a COVID test is easier than ever.

Members of the public should take a COVID-19 test if they have COVID-19 symptoms like a fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, loss of taste or smell; and at least five days after they come into close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

Detection of the newest COVID variant in the area, omicron, is most accurate with a PCR test but not until three to five days after symptom onset. Studies show that antigen tests can give false negative results (approximately 30%).

Here’s a list of tests that are available, and what you should do when you receive your results.

Antigen
How is the test administered? Nasal swab
Where to go one: Rapid antigen tests are available through the federal government. You can order four free at-home COVID-19 tests per household. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Tests can be ordered at www.covidtests.gov/ or by calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489). Antigen tests (that you do at home) are also available at Corner Stone Pharmacy and Buffalo Prescription Shop, both located in Buffalo. A flu/antigen combination test is also available at Buffalo Urgent Care, along with a stand-alone antigen test. 
How long until I get my results? 
Antigen test results are available within 15-30 minutes. No lab drop-off is required. 
What to do if you get a negative test: 
If you test negative using an antigen test, but have COVID-19 symptoms, stay home and isolate. We also recommend taking another test at least 24 hours after the first. You can also follow up with a PCR test at a local facility.

PCR
How is the test administered?
 Nasopharyngeal (deeper nasal) swab
Where to get one: 
PCR tests are administered locally at The Family Medical Center, 307-684-2228; Buffalo Urgent Care, 307-278-0280; and Big Horn Pediatric & Family Medicine, 307-620-8845. Buffalo Urgent care also offers PCR test alternatives. 
How long until I get my results? 
Typically, PCR test results are available within several hours. It’s possible you won’t receive your results until the next day if the test is administered in the afternoon. 
What to do if you get a negative test: 
If you have symptoms, stay home until those symptoms are resolving, then wear a mask in public for 10 full days from symptom onset.

VAULT 
Vault tests, like a PCR, are molecular tests and detect the virus that causes COVID-19, though they are administered differently.
How is the test administered?
 Saliva sample 
Where to get one: 
Free Vault tests are available to all Wyoming residents at www.vaulthealth.com/covid. The kit will be shipped directly to your residence. You collect a sample during a telehealth visit, so you must have an internet connection to complete this process. 
How long until I get my results? 
Results are typically available within 48 hours from when samples are received. 
What to do if you get a negative test: 
If you have symptoms, stay home until those symptoms are resolving, then wear a mask in public for 10 full days from symptom onset.

What to do if you test positive with any test: If you test positive, stay home for at least five days and isolate from others in your home. Wear a well-fitted mask if you must be around others in your home. You can end isolation after five days if you are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your symptoms are improving. Wear a well-fitted mask for 10 full days any time you are around others.

As always, stay home if you are sick. COVID-19 vaccines are available locally at multiple locations, including Corner Stone Pharmacy (Moderna walk-in), 307-620-7071; Buffalo Prescription Shop (Moderna by appointment), 307-684-7003; Johnson County Public Health (Moderna & Pfizer by appointment), 307-684-2564; The Family Medical Center (Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson by appointment), 307-684-2228; and Big Horn Pediatrics and Family Medicine (Moderna by appointment), 307-620-8845.

 

Inpatient visitation during COVID-19

In an effort to protect our staff, patients and the community during the COVID-19 outbreak, the following visitation restrictions are in place:

All visitors are to be screened upon entrance to the facility and are required to wear a mask at all times.

COVID-19 patients:

  • May have one visitor in the facility at a time.
  • Visitors will be educated on the risks of COVID exposure prior to their visit.
  • All visitors must wear a mask. Visitor may choose N95 (preferred) or surgical mask after educated on the risks. Masks will be provided.
  • Visitor must remain in the room for the duration of the visit.
  • All visitors/family members of patients who have a positive COVID-19 diagnosis will be encouraged to return home after visit and quarantine per current CDC guidelines.

End-of-life COVID-19 patients:

  • May have up to 5 visitors at a time in the facility (depending on room size and availability).
  • Must adhere to all of the above.

Opportunities for other family members and friends to make contact with the patient will be attempted when possible via phone and/or Zoom. This will be arranged through social services and nursing services.

Q. Where is JCHC getting their information?

There are many medical professionals working to keep our community safe.  At JCHC, we employ an Infection Preventionist.  Kristina Duarte, RN, BSN.  An Infection Preventionist is not only in charge of COVID regulations but is someone who helps JCHC and AHCC avoid infections in general.

JCHC also has the Johnson County Health Officer, Dr. Mark Schueler on staff.  Together, they are following the CDC guidelines, the CMS guidelines, and the APIC guidelines, along with the local, state, and national guidelines.  These are the best sources for medical professionals in how to prepare for and treat COVID-19.
The JCHC staff work with Johnson County Public Health and the Wyoming Department of Health to stay up to date, and to keep our community safe.

CDC     (Centers for Disease Control)  

APIC - Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology

CMS - Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

https://health.wyo.gov/publichealth/infectious-disease-epidemiology-unit/disease/novel-coronavirus/