News From SIH

Woody Thorne, Vice President of Community Affairs for Southern Illinois Healthcare joined Will Stephens on WXAN to talk about the SIH Community Foundation, Southern Illinois Healthcare's response to COVID-19, and what he has learned about Southern Illinois during this pandemic.

Dr. Sarah Altamimi, an infectious disease physician at Southern Illinois Healthcare, knows a good way you can protect yourself from COVID-19: Stop wearing vinyl or latex gloves in public. “Wearing gloves does not add any level of security or protection, and it might add harm,” Altamimi said.

A Marion man is speaking out about fear of COVID-19 preventing people from seeking emergency care after he waited three days to get help during a heart attack. On May 1, David Willard of Marion took advantage of the nice weather to power wash his house.

GLOVES FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. Is wearing rubber gloves while out in public effective in protecting you from the Corona virus?

COVID-19 is stopping some patients who need to seek immediate medical help from doing so. SIH is one of many institutions regionally and nationwide that have seen a 50 percent drop in patient visits for conditions like stroke and heart attacks.

Southern Illinois University is utilizing 3D printing technology to create plastic face shields for Southern Illinois Healthcare. Lingguo Bu, associate professor of curriculum and instruction, with support from the SIU STEM Education Research Center, has already delivered about 150 shields to SIH, and on Monday he delivered 20 more.

Director of Emergency Services at SIH Herrin Hospital joined Will Stephens to talk about COVID-19 and Emergency Medical Care. Dr. Miksanek said that Emergency care for Heart Attack and Stroke is not occurring at typical rates. This leads SIH to believe people are putting off Emergency Medical Care due to COVID-19.

CARBONDALE — Among the many items essential healthcare workers rely upon to keep them safer during the COVID-19 pandemic is a clear, plastic shield that fits on their head, covering their faces. And, like other items, face shields are running in short supply. Faculty at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are pitching in to help solve the local shortage.

SIH continues to see dozens of mask donations daily in response to the personal protective equipment shortage. Denise Glennon's mother is a former nurse who taught her how to sow; she understands the need for masks when a loved one is sick.

We understand there’s a lot of anxiety around what to do if you suspect you or a loved one has been exposed to COVID-19 and might be sick.

Here’s what we recommend to help get the guidance you need and prevent spread in your home and community: