Hospital moves to no-visitor policy
Cordell Memorial Hospital has moved to a no-visitor policy, effective immediately.
“In response to a recent dramatic increase in positive COVID-19 cases statewide, Cordell Memorial Hospital is temporarily unable to welcome visitors to its facilities,” Deborah Kifer, administrator, Cordell Memorial Hospital administrator, said in a press release. “With some exceptions for cases such as labor and delivery, pediatrics and compassionate care, only patients will be permitted to seek care within the facility. Visitors will not be permitted until further notice.”
The hospital’s highest priority is keeping our patients, visitors, employees and providers safe and healthy,”Kifer said.
“We have taken extensive steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community and we believe that temporarily moving to a ‘no visitor’ policy is the best course of action to take.”
All people entering Cordell Memorial Hospital will continue to be required to wear masks or cloth face coverings and are subject to screening, Kifer said in the press release.
Schools move to virtual learning through Dec. 7
Cordell Schools will institute virtual learning through Dec. 7, according to a post by Superintendent Brad Overton on the district’s Facebook Page.
“As you know our community has been hit hard with COVID this past week,” the post stated. “It appears that the spread of the virus is increasing and more and more students and staff members at school are becoming affected.”
Overton stated that the rationale behind this virtual period is that those who are currently infected with and those that may become exposed during the Thanksgiving break should be free of the virus by Dec. 7, allowing the district to return to school for the last two weeks before Christmas.
According to the post, iPads and Chromebooks will be sent home with students on Friday in preparation for this transition to virtual learning. Junior high and high school students will need to check emails and be ready to attend classes virtually during their regularly scheduled class times. Elementary students will also need to log in and make sure work is complete. Students will need to log on and complete work in order to be counted present.
Sports schedules will also be affected. There will be no basketball or wrestling practices, scrimmages or games until after Dec. 7.
“We feel that if extracurricular activities continue that this will defeat the purpose of moving to a virtual schedule,” Overton wrote.
If your child tests positive during this virtual period, the district asks that you notify the school so that it can track students and get ready to return on Dec. 7. You can call 580-832-1000 and leave a message or email brad.overton@cordell.k12.ok.us. Provide your name, child’s name, and date of positive test.