Springfield VA clinic conducting coronavirus screenings

Dayton VA Medical Center’s Springfield Community Based Outpatient Clinic on North Limestone Street is among clinics conducing coronavirus screenings for everyone entering the clinic. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Dayton VA Medical Center’s Springfield Community Based Outpatient Clinic on North Limestone Street is among clinics conducing coronavirus screenings for everyone entering the clinic. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

With an eye toward containing the spread of the coronavirus disease, the Veterans Administration is screening visitors and employees at area VA clinics, including the outpatient clinic in Springfield.

The VA opened a new Springfield Community Based Outpatient Clinic in February. The clinic is located at 1620 N. Limestone.

Clinics in Middletown, Lima and Richmond, Indiana are also already screening.

READ: What is the new coronavirus?

The Dayton VA Medical Center will begin screening everyone entering that campus, beginning Wednesday.

“This may lengthen entry times, so patients are advised to allow for that when arriving for their appointments,” the center said in a release Tuesday.

The screening consists of three questions:

Do you have a fever or worsening cough or flu-like symptoms?

Have you traveled to China, Japan, Italy, Iran or South Korea in the last 14 days?

Have you been in close contact with someone, including health care workers, confirmed to have the coronavirus disease?

PHOTO GALLERY: New VA Outpatient Clinic in Springfield

The screening process will continue 7 days a week, 24 hours a day for the foreseeable future, the VA also said. “Per CDC guidance and VA protocols, individuals known to be at risk for a COVID-19 infection are immediately isolated to prevent potential spread to others,” the VA said.

Veterans and staff are encouraged to take everyday preventative actions to avoid being exposed to the virus:

—Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

—Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

—Stay home if you are sick or becoming sick.

For more information about the Coronavirus, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.