BLUE EARTH — United Hospital District officials are urging people who suspect they may have coronavirus symptoms to call first before visiting their local health facility.

Doing so allows limited resources to be used efficiently for those who are elderly, have compromised immune systems, serious medical conditions (heart disease, diabetes and lung disease) or have more severe illness.

“Most patients with coronavirus or suspected coronavirus are able to recover and manage their symptoms at home,” said Bob Karp, medical director at UHD. “If you have symptoms including a fever of greater than 100.4 degrees, cough, sore throat and/or shortness of breath, you don’t need to be seen by a provider immediately. These patients are first asked to self-quarantine their entire family at home.

“Asymptomatic people who have known exposure are recommended to self-quarantine for 14 days and watch to see if symptoms appear, and people with manageable symptoms are recommended to self-quarantine for at least seven days and at least 72 hours after resolution of fever and shortness of breath.

“If symptoms continue or worsen during this time, call UHD at (507) 526-3273 to review your symptoms with a triage nurse, who will determine next steps.

“If a person develops severe shortness of breath, please seek emergency medical attention at the nearest emergency room.”

For updates on COVID-19 and what people can do to protect themselves, their family and their neighbors, visit the UHD website at www.uhd.org or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov

UHD, located in Blue Earth, is a system of care comprised of a 25-bed acute care hospital, comprehensive outpatient services, Adolescent Treatment center, ambulance service and home health/hospice care all supported by a 20-plus multi-specialty provider group with four clinic locations across two counties.