Who, when, how to seek antiviral treatment for COVID
MAY 9, 2022 -- Antiviral medicine like Paxlovid can help prevent severe illness and hospitalization from COVID.
Not everyone needs it. Those who do should act quickly, even if they don’t feel very sick at first: Treatment must be started within the first five days of symptoms to be effective.
People over 65 and those with certain risk factors should seek antiviral treatment as soon as they know they have COVID.
Risk factors:
NH+C now scheduling second boosters of COVID vaccine
APRIL 6, 2022 -- NH+C is now scheduling second boosters of COVID vaccine for people age 50+ and for those age 12+ who are immune-compromised. Appointments are available in the Northfield Clinic on Tuesdays. Call to schedule: 507-646-8019
It must be at least 4 months since your last dose. Pfizer vaccine is available.
We encourage you to seek other options, too. The state’s Vaccine Connector is searchable by location.
Helpline offers free Advance Care Planning assistance
Who would speak for you if you couldn’t speak for yourself?
Advance Care Planning is the process of preparing for a time when you may not be able to make your own medical decisions. The best time to make these decisions is when you are able to make your own choices.
Honoring Choices Minnesota is hosting an Advance Care Planning Helpline offering rural Minnesotans free access to education, facilitation and resources for their own advance care plan and healthcare directive. There are 10+ trained volunteer ACP facilitators in the Northfield area.
FDA, CDC allow second booster for adults 50+ and immunocompromised people
MARCH 30, 2022 – COVID vaccine boosters are in the news again.
All adults age 50+ and those age 12+ with specific risk factors may get a second booster (a fourth dose) four months or longer after their booster.
Adults 65+ and those 50+ with specific risk factors should get a second booster, says the CDC.
On March 29, the FDA authorized a second booster of Pfizer or Moderna for older people and certain immunocompromised individuals. The CDC updated its recommendations based on the FDA’s decision.
Northfield Hospital + Clinics allows some visitors under age 18
FEBRUARY 23, 2022 – Northfield Hospital + Clinics is allowing some visitors under age 18 as part of adjusting its COVID restrictions. This expansion may be reversed if there is an increase in positive COVID cases.
Visitors of any age with any COVID-19 symptom are not allowed.
Hospital patients may have two visitors at a time. It does not have to be the same two visitors for the whole hospital stay. Visitors under age 18 are allowed if they are able to be masked at all times. Visitors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Northfield Hospital + Clinics eases visitor restrictions
FEBRUARY 16, 2022 – Starting today, February 16, Northfield Hospital + Clinics is allowing some visitors as part of adjusting its COVID restrictions. This expansion may be reversed if there is an increase in positive COVID cases.
Hospital visitor rules are specific by department:
NH+C, Mayo Clinic, Allina Health team up for cancer care
When Pam Bergee was diagnosed with breast cancer, her care team stepped in . . . from all across the region. “They coordinated my appointments so seamlessly that I never had to worry about my next steps,” Pam says.
NH+C, Mayo Clinic and Allina Health collaborate to bring a full range of cancer care to Northfield, for seamless care close to home.
NH+C tightens visitor restrictions for hospital, Birth Center and clinics
JANUARY 14, 2022 – Northfield Hospital + Clinics has tightened visitor restrictions as cases of COVID-19 increase dramatically, driven by the highly contagious omicron variant.
COVID-19 booster shots recommended for 16- and 17-year-olds
DECEMBER 10, 2021 – The CDC added 16- and 17-year-olds to its recommendation for COVID-19 booster shots.
Pfizer is approved for booster shots for everyone 16 and older, regardless of which vaccine you initially received. Read CDC’s latest recommendations: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html
NH+C’s top priority it to get unvaccinated people protected. Need your first and second dose? Call to schedule: 507-646-8019
Monoclonal Antibody treatment helps COVID-19 patients at high risk of serious illness
DECEMBER 8, 2021 – The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) of Northfield Hospital + Clinics is providing monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19, in coordination with the Minnesota Department of Health. The treatment is given through injections or infusion to help patients who have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and who are at high risk for progression to serious symptoms or for needing hospital care.