Lovell FHCC COVID-19 Operational Updates: New Masking Policy, Continued Limited Visitation

Due to the COVID-19 rates in the community and at our facilities, the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center is continuing to implement our COVID-19 surge protective measures. More details appear below and on our website.

Critical patient services are continuing as regularly scheduled – including COVID-19 vaccinations – unless the patient is contacted by Lovell FHCC staff. In some cases, patients may be asked to postpone less-urgent procedures in an effort to reduce foot-traffic in our facilities and help stop the spread of the omicron variant.

All are required to wear face masks (updated masking policy below) over their mouths and noses while on hospital campus grounds and while attending appointments.

Updated Patient Masking Policy 

Starting this week, Thursday, January 27, 2022, we are changing our patient mask policy to match what we already are requiring from staff. All patients entering our East and West campus facilities, as well as our community based outpatient clinics, will be given facility-provided, medical-grade masks to wear alone or over their own cloth masks.

It’s become increasingly apparent that cloth masks, while better than nothing, offer the least amount of protection from a primarily airborne virus such as COVID-19. In an August study published pre-peer review, a group of researchers from universities including Yale and Stanford found that surgical masks are 95 percent effective at filtering out virus particles — compared to just 37 percent for cloth masks.

All Lovell FHCC staff already are required to wear medical-grade face masks for several months. This new policy furthers Lovell FHCC's commitment to keeping our patients, staff, and community safe. We will continue to monitor area infection rates and adjust our policies accordingly. Thank you for your support as we continue the fight against COVID-19!

COVID-19 Vaccinations

Data still shows that COVID-19 vaccinations, and boosters, offer the best protection against severe illness and death. COVID-19 vaccination appointments will continue for first and second doses of Pfizer/Moderna, and booster doses. We urge all vaccinated patients, 16 and up, to schedule booster shots as soon as possible. Call 224-610-3899 to schedule a vaccine appointment at the main hospital in North Chicago.

For more on COVID-19 vaccines, including the latest information about pediatric vaccines including a Sat. clinic Jan. 29, visit our FHCC website. To schedule pediatric appointments for TRICARE patients ages 5-11, call 1-800-941-4501. All other VA & TRICARE patients, call 224-610-3899.

Don’t forget your vaccination card.

COVID-19 Hotline

If you have questions about the vaccine, you are invited to call our COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline at 224-610-4636, weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Please note, hotline operators can't schedule appointments.)

After hours, veteran patients may call the Nurse Advice Line, 224-610-2920. Department of Defense beneficiaries may call 800-874-2273.

See the latest updates on the official FHCC website.

COVID-19 Clinic Location:

Our COVID-19 vaccination clinic has moved back to the Immunizations Clinic located on the first floor of building 133EF. Check-in with the screeners at the front door for further direction. 

Current Visitation Restrictions

Due to the COVID-19 surge in our community, new visitor restrictions have been implemented.

Visitors aren't allowed except on a case-by-case basis in our Community Living Center. This change was made to keep patients, staff, and families safe. For visitation with residents in our CLC units, please contact the social worker, or nurse manager, responsible for the unit for specific guidance. See visitation page for more information.

We also ask our patients to arrive alone for appointments. If medically necessary, one companion may be allowed. If you are displaying cold-like symptoms* or have been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last 10 days, please reschedule routine appointments that aren’t urgent OR contact us to change your appointment to virtual care. (If you are unsure about the urgency of your procedure or appointment, or need more guidance, please discuss with your primary care provider.)

*For more information about symptoms of COVID-19, particularly the omicron variant, go to the CDC page Omicron Variant: What You Need to Know.