Covid-19 Resources and Information
COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Update: COVID-19 is a serious public health emergency. North Central Health Care is monitoring the situation closely and will update this page with information you need regarding the care of you or a loved one as well as our staff and visitors.
Visitation Policy Overview
North Central Health Care (NCHC) would like to provide continued communication to the public as well as families and visitors of our facilities regarding visitation at our facilities. Under continued guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and local health officials:
NCHC is now allowing indoor visitation to all locations. Additional infection prevention precautions and restrictions are in place to protect the health and safety of those we serve and our employees. Contact the program for additional details.
For Nursing Home Families and Loved Ones: Please visit our Family Page for current visitation status, visiting hours, policies and details for both Mount View and Pine Crest. All visits are dependent on the precautions in place to ensure resident safety at all times.
Because of the ease of spread in a long-term care and congregate living settings and the severity of illness that occurs in residents with COVID-19, nursing homes and congregate living homes are still advised to restrict all visitation inside facilities except for certain compassionate care reasons, such as end-of-life situations.
NCHC Program Hours of Operation
Please call 715.848.4600 if you have any questions or email info@norcen.org.
Aquatic Therapy Center
Open and operational. One additional adult may accompany patients. Please enter from the new Marshall Street entrance. Face masks or face coverings are required and will be provided to all patients and accompanying adult.(updated 8/16/21)
Skilled Nursing
Mount View Care Center and Pine Crest Nursing Home
NCHC is currently allowing indoor, in-room visitation to our nursing home facilities, however status of visitation may be affected by positive cases reported within the facility. Please visit our Family Page for current visitation status, visiting hours, policies and details for both Mount View and Pine Crest. All visits are dependent on the precautions in place to ensure resident safety at all times.
Given the critical importance in limiting COVID-19 exposure in nursing homes, decisions on changing these restrictions are being made with careful review of a number of facility-level, community, and State factors, and in collaboration with State and local health officials. We will continue to operate in the best interest of our residents.
Mental and Behavioral Health Programs
Crisis Center and Crisis Hotline
715.845.4326 or
800.799.0122
Open and operational. Services available 24/7.
Hotline and Crisis Center located at 1100 Lake View Drive, Wausau, WI 54403.
Requires Covid-19 screening upon arrival.
Adult Behavioral Health Hospital
Open and operational. Visitation Allowed with screening and visitation restrictions.
Youth Behavioral Health Hospital
Open and operational. All new admissions to be referred through NCHC Crisis Center.
Adult Crisis Stabilization Facility
Open and operational. Visitation allowed with screening and visitation restrictions.
Lakeside Recovery
Lakeside Recovery has temporarily halted admission of new patients until further notice.
Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse
All Outpatient clinic locations in Wausau, Merrill and Antigo: Open and operational 8 am - 4:30 pm, M-F. Many services are now provided via TeleHealth. Learn more at our TeleHealth page. Requires Covid-19 screening upon arrival.
NCHC Wausau Campus Pharmacy
Open and operational. 8 am to 4:30 pm, M-F.
Community Treatment Programs
Offices in Wausau, Merrill, Antigo: Open and operational 8 am - 4:30 pm, M-F for phone calls. All home visits with case managers will require Covid-19 screening. Many services are now also available via TeleHealth. Learn more at our TeleHealth page.
Adult Day Services
Wausau Program: Open and operational.
Antigo Center Program: Open and operational.
Community Living
All Community Based Residential Facilities (CBRF) and Supportive Apartments are open and operational. Visitation Allowed.
Marathon County Transportation Program
Open and operational. Transportation office hours are currently 7 AM to 5 PM.
Adult Protective Services
Open and operational.
Please check back regularly for updates!
North Central Health Care (NCHC) is committed to providing frequent communications to staff, patients and families regarding COVID-19 situations that may potentially affect those we serve and our operations. NCHC has activated a preparedness team that is meeting daily to focus on additional infection prevention precautions and policies to protect patients, clients, residents and employees at all our locations. Currently the team has implemented actions for the following:
- Posting additional signage at entrances with instructions to individuals with symptoms of respiratory infection to not visit our facility and perform proper hand hygiene.
- Ensuring hand hygiene supplies, including hand sanitizer are readily accessible in patient care areas as well as evaluating our current supply of personal protective equipment (PPE)to meet current and anticipated needs.
- Establishing a plan to ensure proper cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces and equipment.
- Reviewing our NCHC emergency policies and procedures to support future decisions.
- Creating a web page on the NCHC website http://www.norcen.org/COVID-19 for updates and organization information specifically related to COVID-19 information and resources.
To prevent the spread of illness, North Central Health Care has implemented additional healthcare precautions as advised by local health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Personal protective equipment requirements will be posted at all entrances. As a healthcare facility, we will follow all requirements for our care areas as posted by CDC and WI DHS. These requirements will vary in our different communities and areas of care and are based on type of care and the County Transmission Rates.
- Measurement frequency of residents’ vital signs will be further increased.
- Cleaning frequency of high-touch surfaces will be further enhanced.
- Management will work with families individually on a case-by-case basis for special circumstances in the event visitation is suspended or altered.
The population NCHC serves in skilled nursing facilities and residential homes have a higher risk for poor health outcomes due to infections:
We continue to ask that all individuals at any NCHC locations who may be experiencing any symptoms of illness, including a cough, runny nose, fever, body aches, or any nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, to avoid our facilities to prevent the spread of infection. Our NCHC employees are required daily to report any symptoms of illness.
Please continue to practice good prevention techniques, including:
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Thoroughly wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
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Avoid close contact with people who are sick
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Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
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Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and follow up with hand washing
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Stay home when you are sick
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Wear a face mask or face covering when out in public. See the CDC's video and instructions on how to make your own face covering.
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Practice social distancing by maintaining 6 feet between you and others while in public.
As needed, North Central Health Care will provide instructions for patients, visitors and employees as further action is required at any of our NCHC facilities.
If you have a concern about a loved one or patient, client or resident within our care, please contact the program directly.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, North Central Health Care
CDC Resources
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19
Daily Life and Coping with Covid-19
Local Health Agencies
Marathon County Health Department
Lincoln County Health Department
Langlade County Health Department