News

St. Luke’s University Health Network has launched a coronavirus telephone and email hotline to respond to inquiries from patients and the public.

1-866-STLUKES (785-8537), option 7

or

coronavirus@sluhn.org

The 24/7 hotline is led by St. Luke’s nursing staff who can provide information and guidance based on the latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The hotline is not a substitute for the advice of a physician or, when necessary, medical attention.

“St. Luke’s is working in concert with federal, state and local government agencies as well as other area health systems to protect the health of patients and the community,” said St. Luke’s infectious disease expert Dr. Jeffrey Jahre, MD, Senior Vice President of Medical and Academic Affairs.

Dr. Jahre noted the public can help protect themselves and others by following CDC recommendations to take commonsense measures, such as:

• Perform hand hygiene with soap and water or hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol often, but especially after going to the bathroom, after blowing your nose/coughing/sneezing, before eating, and after coming into contact with a potentially contaminated public surface.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid unnecessary crowd exposure.
• Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily (e.g., tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs and cabinet handles) using a regular household detergent and water.

More information about the coronavirus is available at https://www.slhn.org/blog/2020/novel-coronavirus-faq.