A cold, the flu or COVID-19: What’s the difference?
A cold, the flu or COVID-19: What’s the difference? If you believe you have symptoms and might be infected with COVID-19, it’s best to be safe and get tested.
Hal Paz, MD: This isn't just what we do. It's who we are
Hal Paz, MD, executive vice president and chancellor for health affairs at The Ohio State University and chief executive officer of the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, shares his thanks for the support the community has shown us, the support you've shown one another and, most of all, by the Buckeye Spirit you've shown in every corner of our institution. Your commitment to caring for one another and for your community is our best chance for coming out on the other side of this outbreak knowing we've saved countless lives together.
COVID-19 Resources
How is the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center prepared for COVID-19?
The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center team routinely works closely with local and state public health officials to coordinate our response to these types of outbreaks based on recommendations from the CDC.
- The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is prepared to care for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients in private treatment rooms with special ventilation (negative airflow) to prevent the spread of any infection.
- Our clinicians and staff wear special protective equipment when gathering samples for viral testing and treating the patient.
- These patients will also be tested for influenza and other viral illnesses that can have similar symptoms.
- Testing for COVID-19 can be performed only with the approval of the Ohio Department of Health and the CDC.
- In the event of a local COVID-19 outbreak, the medical center will implement our emergency preparedness plan in accordance with the standardized Hospital Incident Command System.
- Visitors are no longer allowed at any Ohio State facility, with some limited exceptions. Additionally, staff are screening all entrants at all facility entrances to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- Health care food service operations are exempt from the government order to close dining spaces in restaurants and bars, so our hospital café seating areas remain open. However, most chairs have been removed from tables to encourage social distancing, self-serve stations are closed, and we’ve increased the number of single-serve and grab-and-go options for faculty, staff, patients and permitted visitors.
- Ohio State University and Ohio State Wexner Medical Center staff who are able have moved to working from home, and, where possible, in-person meetings have been canceled, postponed or moved to over-the-phone meetings.
Human Resources guidance for managers / supervisors
- Information about COVID-19 reporting, employee leave management and associated workplace issues is available on the Human Resources website.
