JCHC Releases Mask Policy Revision

During the weekly Johnson County Covid-19 Emergency Operations Center briefing Tuesday, Johnson County Healthcare Center CEO Sedan McCallister said the facility has adjusted its mask policy due to lower COVID rates, and higher numbers of those vaccinated in the county.

In a follow-up release, the JCHC said, in part, “Effective immediately, the Johnson County Healthcare Center will not require fully immunized individuals to wear a mask within the main campus, including the hospital and clinic. Those visitors and patients who are not fully immunized for COVID-19 are requested and advised to wear a mask. JCHC staff who are not fully immunized are required to wear a mask.”

County Public Health Officer Dr. Mark Schueler said he was pleased with the latest developments in the fight against <span class=”player fa fa-play” onclick=”playSound(this, ‘/audio/2021/03-25-41.mp3’);”> COVID-19. </span>

Dr. Schueler believes we have learned a lot from the pandemic, and the virtual absence of influenza is an example of how we are not sharing respiratory viruses, and these skills and behaviors will be useful going forward.

He said, “I’m excited to see us learn and go forward and put COVID behind us. Some celebrations perhaps are in order.”

The full release from the JCHC is here:

JCHC adjusts mask policy for immunized individuals

For the past six weeks, Johnson County has maintained a low COVID-19 case rate and continues to see a climbing vaccination rate. As such, the Johnson County Healthcare Center has modified its mask policy.

Effective immediately, the Johnson County Healthcare Center will not require fully immunized individuals to wear a mask within the main campus, including the hospital and clinic. Those visitors and patients who are not fully immunized for COVID-19 are requested and advised to wear a mask. JCHC staff who are not fully immunized are required to wear a mask.

Fully immunized means it has been at least two weeks since an individual has received both doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine OR it has been two weeks since an individual has received the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

Visitors and staff entering Amie Holt Care Center are still required to wear a mask, even if they have been fully immunized, due to the increased risk for this vulnerable population. Requirements for nursing homes are set at the state and federal level.

If you have any signs or symptoms of COVID-19, we ask that you refrain from entering our facilities and contact your healthcare provider.

Our intention is to advise people with COVID-19 symptoms or known exposure to contact their healthcare provider or our Clinic @ (307) 684-2228 prior to entering the facility since we are no longer staffing the facility entrances with COVID screeners starting next week.

For the health of our community, we strongly support vaccination. COVID-19 vaccines are available in Johnson County to anyone 18 and over. The two-dose Moderna vaccine is available at Johnson County Public Health, 684-2564; Corner Stone Pharmacy, 620-7071; Buffalo Prescription Shop, 684-7003; and Big Horn Pediatrics and Family Medicine, 620-8845.

The Johnson County Healthcare Center is currently out of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, but people can call our clinic, 307-684-2228, to get on a waiting list as we anticipate receiving additional vaccines.

Effective Saturday, March 27, the main east and west entrances at JCHC will no longer be staffed by screeners. Entrance signage will request visitors and patients wear masks if they are not fully immunized. Each entrance will be stocked with masks and hand sanitizer for visitor and patient use.

Johnson County Healthcare Center urges residents to continue social distancing and using proper hand hygiene to avoid spreading COVID-19.

Please note that the aforementioned changes to our COVID protocols are subject to change depending on our county’s COVID rate. If an outbreak occurs, then we will return to some, or all, of the prior restrictions.

We are excited to progress to this point and want to thank our team and the community for making this possible.