Wesley Medical Center and the Wesley Woodlawn Hospital in Wichita have started screening visitors as a precaution against the coronavirus.

Wesley president and CEO Bill Voloch said Monday that visitors can only access the Medical Center through four entrances, the intensive care unit, the main entrance, the emergency room, and the birth care center.   Screening is also taking place at an entrance used by vendors.    Voloch said there are 57 entrances to the Medical Center, but that is now restricted to four entrances for visitors.

At a news conference Monday, Voloch said volunteers at the hospital are now only working in non-clinical areas.   He said the steps are being taken to protect the safety of staff and patients.

Wesley’s chief medical officer, Lowell Ebersole, said the screening involves questions about any flu or respiratory symptoms, and if the visitor has recently traveled to any area where the coronavirus has been confirmed, including China, Japan, South Korea, Italy and Iran.    People who answer yes to the questions will be asked to wear a mask and they will be evaluated in the emergency department.    Wesley does not have the capability of testing for COVID-19, and that would have to be done by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Voloch said no cases of coronavirus have turned up at Wesley, but a few people have been evaluated and they ended up with negative results.

Ebersole said Wesley has implemented a 30-day travel ban for employees on business trips, and they are being asked to postpone any travel during the next 30 days outside the United States.

The precautionary measures are also being implemented at HCA Healthcare facilities across the country.