Officers with the Wilmington Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital Police are now screening visitors entering the main entrance to the medical center from Kirkwood Highway,
In a Facebook post, the VA is asking visitors to follow revised traffic patterns as directed by VA Police Officers. Veterans, visitors, volunteers and employees will be screened for the Coronavirus (COVID-19) while remaining in their vehicles.
Parking in the east parking lot (commonly called the pit parking lot) will be limited to Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. All Veterans, visitors, volunteers, and staff will be screened for the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Please plan to arrive a few minutes earlier than normal for your appointment to allow time for the screening.
An earlier message described the process in greater detail.
A Message to All Veterans: In response to the Coronavirus (COVID 19) virus and in an effort to protect the health and well being of our Veterans, volunteers, employees and all visitors to the Wilmington VA Medical Center and our Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) located in Delaware and southern New Jersey, we will begin active screening measures for anyone entering all locations beginning Monday, March 9, 2020. Anyone entering the medical center or a community based outpatient clinics will be screened and required to answer the following questions:
1. Do you have a fever? Do you have a worsening cough or flu-like symptoms?
2. Have you traveled to China, Japan, Italy, Iran or South Korea in the last 14 days?
3. Have you been in close contact with someone, including health care workers, confirmed to have the coronavirus disease?
Access to the medical center and CBOCs will be determined by this screening. By 2:00 pm on March 9, the medical center will further restrict access by having only 2 entry points to the Medical Center for all Veterans, visitors, volunteers, and employees. Additionally information will be provided once those entrances are prepared.
We apologize in advance for any delays or inconveniences this may cause, however, we believe, preparation and adding these steps provides us the best option to promote the safety of our veterans, employees and visitors.
The Wilmington VAMC and all of our CBOCs are following CDC and other public health guidelines. Clinical staff members are available to provide 24/7 virtual care and support, including nurse advice and triage.
* Veterans experiencing the following symptoms: fever, cough, or shortness of breath, should call 302-994-2511 and select option 3 to speak to a nurse before visiting the facility.
* Veterans who have traveled to a foreign country or who are living with someone who has traveled in the last 14 days or had direct contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19, should also call 302-994-2511 and press 3 BEFORE coming to the medical center or CBOC , even if symptoms are not present.
We will continue to provide updates and keep you informed as new information becomes available. Please continue to wash your hands with soap and water, take care of yourself as we work together to promote the health and well being of our veterans and our communities.
Vince Kane
Medical Center Director