WhidbeyHealth officials announced Thursday that physical, occupational and speech therapy services will reopen Monday, May 11 at medical centers in Coupeville and on Goldie Road in Oak Harbor.

In addition, WhidbeyHealth announced that tele-health visits for rehab patients will be suspended on May 11 and will resume after a new platform for this service has been implemented.

According to a hospital spokesperson, the goal of the change is to help rehab patients who have struggled with tele-health.

Physical therapy, for example, can be difficult to perform over the phone or on a screen. Spotty wifi doesn’t help.

Strict safety precautions will remain in place at the hospital and the Cabot Drive clinic.

“As with all services available to our patients during the coronavirus pandemic, the reinforcement of protective safety precautions for all patients and staff are our first priority in re-introducing services,” a hospital press releases states.

Health and safety protocols for staff and patients during a rehab visit will be strictly enforced, the hospital reported. They will include:

• Temperature screening upon entry to any building. Patients showing a fever or other symptoms will have to reschedule their appointment.

• Each patient support person will be required to wait in the car for the duration of the patient’s visit

• Staff will be required to wear complete personal protective equipment, including masks, goggles and, in some cases, gowns.

• Patients will be required to wear masks during their visit.

Rehabilitation equipment will be spaced to meet social distancing guidelines and will be cleaned after each use. In addition, the equipment will be included in the rotation of the hospital’s new Halo Disinfection Systems, which uses a dry mist fogging system to eliminate pathogens in complex spaces beyond the reach of sprays, wipes or UV lights.

On Wednesday, Gov. Jay Inslee offered new guidance for interpreting his March 19 order that restricted non-urgent medical procedures. Next week, WhidbeyHealth officials will likely discuss the possibility of re-starting elective procedures, according to the spokesperson.

• To schedule a rehab appointment at the medical center, call 360-678-7619; for a rehab appointment at the Goldie Street location, call 360-679-1415.