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LBj downgrades hospital’s COVID response level to Code Yellow

code yellow
Masking, social distancing, and vaxxing still fully enforced on premises
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — LBJ Medical Center has moved to downgrade its COVID-19 response level from Code Red to Code Yellow, effective today, Aug. 29, providing for Outpatient Clinics and Clinical Services to “resume modified normalcy,” the hospital announced in a statement late last week.

The decision to downgrade the response code, followed “careful monitoring of data for daily and cumulative positive COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 admissions” at LBJ, the statement explained.

It also states that masking and social distancing will be fully enforced on LBJ premises, and COVID-19 vaccination card are required to enter the hospital and must be presented when requested.

Authorized entrances will remain for patients, visitors and employees. Everyone will be screened for signs and symptoms before entering the hospital or any of its clinics. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to enter the hospital.

For the Emergency Room, patients will arrive at the ER front entrance and individuals with flu like symptoms and signs may be tested for COVID-19 (swab) at the discretion of the ER physician providing care.

Caregivers for ER patients are limited to one caregiver and special circumstances will be permissible per the triage nurse. Streamline tents will be used for overflow of patients.

For In-patient Units, one caregiver — who must be 18 years and older — is allowed by a physician’s order; caregivers “must remain with the patient at all times”; authorized caregivers list will be provided to the security staff by the nursing staff; once a caregiver leaves the hospital, he/she won’t be allowed back to the unit.

Security staff will enforce compliance and police will be notified for assistance if needed. For questions call patient care director at 258-0608.

On the issue of visitors, in-patients visiting hours are from 10a.m. to 11a.m. & 6p.m to 7p.m.

For Outpatient clinics, an appointment system will be strictly enforced. Call 633-1222 — which is the main LBJ switchboard —  and ask for the appropriate clinic. Also call the same number for other services such as Pharmacy, Laboratory, and Medical Records for more information.

LBJ again emphasized that mask wearing and social distancing is enforced inside the hospital including at the clinics.