![](https://cdn.socast.io/6616/sites/389/2020/03/10145546/Dr.Wieland-300x157.jpg)
By Blake Haas
BLOOMINGTON – As cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) increase, a general surgeon with OSF St. Joseph Medical Center is laying out tips to protect the public from the virus.
According to Illinois Public Health officials, 19 Illinoisans have tested positive for COVID-19. Dr. Wieland said once an individual notices symptoms, it is up to the individual to self-quarantine.
“Right now, it’s up to the individual to isolate themselves if you fall into any of those categories, then you have a duty to your family certainly to kind of limit your exposure to everybody else,” Dr. Wieland told WJBC’s Scott Miller. “Things like covering that cough and washing hands frequently and avoiding crowded areas, if you feel you are coming under the weather, you do not have to wait until that fever pops before you decide that you are sick. You have to force yourself to stay away from everybody physically.”
For hospitals like OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Dr. Wieland said precautionary steps are taken to ensure the virus does not spread.
“A lot of it is updating policies that have been in place and revising them, perhaps making them more specific to this particular illness,” added Dr. Wieland. “We had the Ebola outbreak several years ago, and I thought the local hospitals did a great job and actually had some minimal exposure to maybe a few patients and staff that feel under those categories of exposure…I’m at OSF, and they have actually activated their Command structure, so I think they have daily conference calls with their related facilities.”
Listen: Dr. Wieland, OSF St. Joseph Medical Center general surgeon spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller:
On Monday, Gov. JB Pritzker announced a disaster proclamation had been issued in response to COVID-19.
As new cases arise, I want to discuss our broader statewide response to COVID-19 in Illinois.
In every step we take, our priority is getting ahead and staying ahead in our response—and doing so with the safety of our most vulnerable residents at the core of our preparedness. pic.twitter.com/rgVXWkxY9P
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) March 9, 2020
Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].