OBSERVER Photo by M.J. Stafford. The Brooks Memorial Hospital campus is seen from Fifth Street in Dunkirk.

Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Inc. has activated its emergency preparedness team and is in frequent contact with the New York State Department of Health and Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human services on this public health crisis.

“In an effort focused on prevention and the health of our community members, we have developed a set of precautions to be updated on our website and in the media with any further changes, closings, announcements,” the news release stated today.

“Although we are not aware of any positive COVID-19 testing in Chautauqua County, the hospital is taking a proactive approach for prevention with precautions throughout the hospital.”

Some guidelines issued include:

Visitation — Effective immediately, Brooks-TLC will restrict patient visiting hours with the following exceptions:

Patients in the critical care unit, End of life and comfort care patients, Father or labor coach in maternity.

Children under 17 years of age will not be allowed to visit unless there are special circumstances.

Screening and Entry — All individuals, including employees, visitors, physicians, and vendors entering the hospital will be screened for respiratory symptoms and fever.

Emergency Department patients should enter at the emergency department door. All others entering the hospital will need to come through the Outpatient entryway, with the exception of vendor deliveries. Vendors should go to the receiving area at the back of the hospital on Eagle Street.

Emergency and surgical patients should plan to be dropped off at the hospital, with the exception of those requiring a signed consent for treatment. Please have a telephone number of someone to be contacted when you are finished at the hospital.

Outpatient service hours at the hospital have been limited as follows:

Walk-in Laboratory, Radiology, EKG: 6:30 A.M. – 5 P.M.

PFT testing: Last patient to be seen at 4 P.M.

Patients arriving at the Outpatient entrance will be screened for cough and fever.

In an effort focused on prevention and the health of our community members, the hospital encourages the use of off-site services located at:

Gowanda Urgent Care and Medical Center, 34 Commercial Street, Gowanda, NY 14070

Laboratory and X-Ray services, Patient Service Center – Draw Site, 183 E. Main Street, Suite #102, Fredonia, NY 14063

Laboratory services — If you utilize physical therapy or cardiac rehab services, please contact your provider to determine if your rehabilitation can be deferred temporarily.

Testing — Patients should contact their primary care provider (PCP) via phone to determine if testing is appropriate.