This week, U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), participated in a telephone briefing with leadership at Wilmington Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center to discuss the steps the VA is taking to protect veterans and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Carper is a Navy veteran.
“I am pleased that our VA is taking smart steps to reduce risks and increase safety at their facilities in Delaware and around the nation,” said Senator Carper. “But it takes an all-hands-on-deck effort to ensure health and safety, including at the individual level. While my colleagues and I work in Congress to make sure the VA and our other community hospitals and health care facilities have the resources they need to combat this pandemic, I encourage veterans and their families to familiarize themselves with and follow the VA’s protocols before visiting a facility. If you know a veteran who receives care at the Wilmington VAMC or at the Dover and Georgetown Community Based Outpatient Clinics, please share this information with them so that we can all help keep each other safe.”
Veterans are asked to follow these instructions from the VA:
- ·VA asks that any veteran with symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath should immediately contact their local VA facility. VA urges Veterans to call before visiting – you can find contact information for your closest VA facility. In Delaware, the VA has facilities in Wilmington, Dover and Georgetown.
- Alternatively, Veterans can sign into My HealtheVet, to send a secure message to VA or use telehealth options to explain their condition and receive a prompt diagnosis.
- Upon arriving at VA, all patients will be screened for flu-like symptoms before they enter in order to protect other patients and staff. A VA health care professional will assist you with next steps once this screening process is complete.
At this time, VA is urging all visitors who do not feel well to please postpone their visits to VA facilities.
