Illinois Valley Times

Illinois Valley Community Hospital (IVCH) is working to prepare for the possibility of an influx of COVID-19 patients and is asking community members to donate to help.

The Mendota Reported reported the hospital is asking for Nitrile or vinyl gloves in all sizes; N95-rated, procedure or surgical face masks; clear, hard plastic safety eyewear; plastic gowns; hair bouffant/covers; shoe/foot covers; eye shields; brown paper lunch bags in all sizes; alcohol wipes; and unopened containers of bleach, according to the news agency.

The hospital is not accepting homemade cloth masks.

IVCH wanted to make sure community members knew that personal protective equipment (PPE) was available and being worn by hospital and clinic staff when needed, but that even though the supply was stable, they were seeking donations if available.

"The most important thing the community can do at this time is make sure you are following the State of Illinois’ stay at home order," the hospital said, the news agency reported. "IVCH is very appreciative of everyone’s cooperation and support."

Donations can be dropped off at the receiving dock at the hospital, which is on the southeast side of the hospital's main campus and accessible via Plum Street.

St. Margaret's in Spring Valley is also looking for donations of supplies, as it is expecting a shortage of supplies.

St. Margaret's is looking for unopened boxes of disposable gloves either nitrile gloves, latex gloves or nylon gloves; N95 masks; safety glasses with side shields that are new and in sealed packaging; and cartridges for half-mask filters, such as 3M High-efficiency P3 HEPA Filters, the news agency reported.

To donate items to the hospital, the hospital urges community members to call the fundraising coordinator, Frank Kobilsek, so that he can make arrangements to pick up the donations. The hospital asks community members to not bring items to the hospital.