How One Urgent Care Center Dealt with a COVID-19 Scare—and Was Commended by the Health Department

An abundance of caution and a strong effort to keep the community informed drew praise for Open Door Urgent Care from the Delaware County (Indiana) Health Department recently. When a patient presented with symptoms that could have indicated COVID-19 infection, management made the decision to close up shop while providers ran through the screening protocol recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To head off the rumor mill—and any potential for resultant panic—Open Door updated its Facebook page to explain that they would reopen once the patient’s status was confirmed, and that no patients who visited the location were exposed. Not surprisingly, the patient was not infected with COVID-19; in fact, after going through the screening there was no need to even administer a test. The doors were opened again and the day resumed as usual. The health department later issued a statement praising the way Open Door handled the situation, saying that their “vigilance and preparation [were] needed and appreciated.” Further, the county health commissioner said in a statement that “the thoughtful and proactive actions of the physician and management…were commendable” and amounted to “a wise effort to protect their patients and our community.”