News

In-office visits are picking up at RiverView Health as COVID-19 cases decrease throughout the state, and adults realize the importance of routine checkups for themselves and well-child visits and immunizations for their children.

"Our parking lot was packed this morning, and there was a line in the Cafeteria at lunch," shared an optimistic Carrie Michalski, RiverView President/CEO. "It feels kind of like old times."

On June 15, the Minnesota Department of Health reported 230 new cases of COVID-19, the lowest one-day total for new cases reported since April 27. Six new deaths were reported, accounting for the fewest since there were zero reported deaths on April 13.

With businesses reopening, restaurants allowing customers back inside, and surgeries resuming, health care providers are seeing more and more patients in-person rather than through video visits. While telehealth visits are available for patients not needing a physical exam, Amy Seaver, director of RiverView Clinics, said providers are happy to see an uptick of patients back in the clinics after the fear of COVID-19 slowed traffic for a few months.

Getting Back to Routine Exams

Delaying routine exams or follow-ups for fear of contracting COVID-19 could put patients at high risk when RiverView has yet to treat a patient diagnosed with COVID-19 in the hospital.

"Annual visits and immunizations are very important for prevention and to catch things early, so they are more treatable," Seaver reported.

Regular health exams and tests can help find problems before they start. By getting the right health services, screenings, and treatments, you are taking steps that help your chances of living a longer, healthier life.

Safe to Come Back

Heading back to RiverView clinics for care is safe. Already stringent cleaning protocols and safety procedures have been pushed into overdrive to assure the wellbeing of patients and staff during the pandemic. RiverView policy now also requires every person who enters the building to be screened for COVID-19 and wear a mask.

"We really have put safety and infection control in place since the very beginning," Seaver stated. "We have patients waiting in cars until we are ready to room them, we do registration over the phone, we have sick patients coming in a different door than healthy patients, and we have separate exam rooms where sick patients are seen versus healthy. If patients do need to wait in our waiting room, we have removed chairs so they are safely socially distanced. We also clean thoroughly between each patient, which we have always done."

If you need to schedule routine care, call your primary care clinic at one of the numbers below. A Patient Access representative will help you determine the care option that best meets your needs.

• Crookston, North Clinic: 218.281.9595
• East Grand Forks: 218.773.1390
• Fertile: 218.945.6695
• Red Lake Falls: 218.253.4606

As a reminder, if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, call RiverView's Coronavirus Nurse Screening Hotline at 218-470-7983 before visiting any of our locations.