Key Information About Coronavirus
FAQs | Patients and Visitors | Resources | Safe in Our Care | Social Distancing | Vendor Restrictions
Tidelands Health Visitor Restrictions
With certain restrictions and precautions, hospitalized patients at Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital and Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital may be visited by one designated adult patient support partner per day between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
For the safety of patients, their loved ones and our team members, the following exceptions apply:
- Patients in the emergency department and the critical care unit may not be visited by a patient support partner.
- Patients in COVID-19 isolation may not be visited by a patient support partner.
Exceptions may be made for end-of-life situations and other special circumstances.
Read more.
Important information for our community about COVID-19 testing
At Tidelands Health, we understand the importance of COVID-19 testing to individual and community health. Several testing options are available to accommodate our community’s unique needs. Learn about testing options by clicking here.
COVID-19 vaccine information
A COVID-19 vaccine is now approved for use in the U.S., a critical step toward one day returning to our pre-pandemic way of life.
At Tidelands Health, our region’s leader in COVID-19 response, we have been closely following the development of the COVID-19 vaccine, and we are offering vaccinations in a structured way pursuant to state and federal guidelines.
Because of limited supply, some priority groups – such as health care professionals and those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19 – are eligible to receive the vaccine before others. The CDC believes all adults who want a vaccine should be able to receive one in 2021.
Learn more about the vaccine by going here.
Safe in Our Care
We’re committed to keeping our patients safe as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about our “Safe in Our Care” initiative by clicking here.
Community Resources
To help guide preparations in the communities we serve, we have developed a series of informational fliers that contain useful guidance and resources. These fliers can be freely downloaded, printed and distributed.
Go to the community resources.
Coronavirus: What you need to know
At Tidelands Health, our top priority is the health and well-being of our patients, team members and the community.
As the region's leader in COVID-19 response, we are responding aggressively to the spread of the virus. We routinely care for individuals with potentially infectious illnesses and have rigorous infection prevention processes and protocols in place. Working in collaboration with state and federal health authorities, we are drawing upon our extensive experience and training as we respond to COVID-19.
Frequently Asked Questions about Coronavirus
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about the illness:
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China.
What are the symptoms of coronavirus?
The symptoms are often mild, but in some cases can be severe enough to warrant hospitalization. Individuals with COVID-19 can exhibit fever, cough shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat or new loss of taste or smell.
How is coronavirus spread?
The virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Spread is more likely when people are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
15 questions to ask your child’s day care during the pandemic
When sending children to day care, safety is a top priority for parents. In the age of COVID-19, it’s natural for parents to wonder whether their provider is taking the appropriate precautions.
Read more.
How can I prevent myself from becoming sick?
Although there is currently no vaccine to prevent a COVID-19 infection, the CDC encourages good hand hygiene and other health practices.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home if you become ill.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
What if I think I’m sick with COVID-19?
Call your health care provider and inform the provider that you may have COVID-19. Follow your health care provider’s instructions. In case of emergency, call 911.
Should I be tested for coronavirus?
Individuals with coronavirus symptoms who meet certain criteria may be eligible for testing. Call your health care provider if you feel sick with fever, cough or difficulty breathing and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, or if you have recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19.
Where can I learn more about coronavirus?
At Tidelands Health, we’re committed to keeping our community informed about coronavirus and our response to the illness. Please check this page regularly for updates.
You can also find information through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and South Carolina Department of Health and Environment Control.
To visit the CDC’s website, go here.
To visit the state Department of Health and Environmental Control, go here.
