COVID-19 Virus

COVID Update: What You Need to Know


Beginning Monday, March 6, all Columbus Regional Health facilities are mask-optional for workforce members, patients, and visitors. The exceptions are:

  • If you have had a close-contact exposure to COVID-19 within the last 10 days, wear a mask.
  • If you are experiencing any potential symptoms of COVID-19, you should wear a mask.

CRH facilities will remain mask-optional as long as the local Community Levels remain in the Low or Medium range.

Provided below is information with the latest local updates, prevention tips and information about exposure risk and testing options.

SKIP TO CONTENT

Have Symptoms or Potential Exposure?

COVID-19 can cause a wide range of mild to severe symptoms. In most cases, symptoms may appear within 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Some more common symptoms include:

  • Fever or chills
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms get tested and contact your primary care provider and wear a mask around others.


Looking for information about the COVID-19 vaccine?

CRH Vaccine Information Page

Visitor Options

For the most up-to-date visitor guidelines, please review our Patient Visitation page.

Limited Hospital Entrances

For the safety and convenience of staff, patients and visitors, a few entrances to facilities on the main hospital campus remain restricted. The following entrances are open to the public during the following hours:

  • Entrance 1 (Emergency Department) – open 24/7
  • Entrance 2 – open 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • VIMCare/Laboratory Entrance -- open 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Entrance 3 (Main) – open 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Entrance 4 will function as an admit and discharge only location for Surgical Services and Endoscopy Center patients.

(Click image for interactive CRH hospital campus map)

Map overview of the CRH campus.

Want to reach out to a patient but can't visit in person? Try our Email a Patient form.

COVID-19 Testing Protocols

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, even if you are vaccinated, it is important to stay home except to get tested or to see your primary care provider (PCP).

Call your primary care provider office if:

  • You are symptomatic. Your doctor will provide the best recommendation.
  • Your symptoms worsen.
  • You have health risk factors or other underlying conditions such as diabetes, CHF or COPD.
  • You have questions about COVID-19 or your health that you would like answered by a health care provider.

Schedule a drive-thru COVID-19 testing appointment if:

  • You are asymptomatic and would like to be tested.
  • You have been exposed to COVID-19 but are NOT displaying symptoms.
  • You are in need of a test for travel, work or school.

If you have a MyChart account, please schedule your drive-thru testing appointment in MyChart for quicker scheduling and access to your results. If you do not have a MyChart account, please sign up for an account at mychart.crh.org. You may also call 812-376-5419 to schedule your appointment.

MyChart now offering easy access to proof of COVID vaccine and testing results

Hand holding smartphone showing Vaccine Card QR code

Thanks to a new feature, CRH MyChart users can now access their personal COVID vaccination and testing credentials in an easy-to-share QR code or print forms right from their medical record. 

Learn more

MyChart Offers Proof of Vaccine Status

Hand holding smartphone with vaccine QR code displayed.

Thanks to a new feature, CRH MyChart users can now access their personal COVID vaccination and testing credentials in an easy-to-share QR code or print forms right from their medical record. 

Learn more

When To Seek Medical Attention

Monitor your symptoms. Seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening, especially if you develop difficulty breathing. Put on a face mask before you enter any facility.

These steps will help the healthcare provider’s office to keep other people in the office or waiting room from getting infected or exposed. Limit your public exposure, such as public transportation or entering public spaces while exhibiting symptoms of illness.

As always, if you or a loved one is experiencing extreme distress, call 911 immediately. 

Here's What You Can Do!

At this time, the most effective way to protect yourself and your loves ones from COVID-19 is to practice the following:

  • Get vaccinated or boosted
  • Social distancing (avoid large public gatherings and consider masking while in public, especially indoors)
  • Proper hand hygiene – washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and using alcohol-based sanitizer as a secondary option
  • Covering cough
  • Not going in public if you are ill, especially if you have a fever