While there are no confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Jackson-Madison County, local health officials and politicians stressed the need to keep the public informed during a meeting at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, Thursday.
“There are no confirmed cases in any of our West Tennessee Healthcare hospitals or facilities – Bolivar, Camden, Dyersburg, Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, Martin, Milan or Pathways,” Dr. Jackie Taylor said, “We care for a lot of patients often with complex medical conditions.
“We will continue to screen them for signs of illness including the COVID-19 virus as recommended by THD and CDC guidelines.”
Dr. Taylor, the Chief Physicians Executive at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, said surveillance for the illness is a key component.
“Tests for COVID are limited,” Taylor said, “These are tests where the specimen is obtained and sent to an outside lab (and) results take 24-to-72 hours. There are no office tests similar to flu and strep swabs with immediate results.
“Testing is limited due to these factors. At this time, we are unable to provide ‘walk in testing.'”
If there is a sign of a mild illness, Dr. Taylor recommends staying at home, and if medical care is needed – call your medical provider.
Kim Tedford, Regional Director of the Jackson-Madison County Health Department, said while there are no confirmed cases in Madison County, the health department would keep the public informed when one is ‘eventually’ reported.
The lastest numbers that were released at 2 p.m., Thursday, for the state of Tennessee, we are up to the count of 18 – as of now,” Tedford said, “… Davidson (County) has six counts, Knox has its first case, Shelby County has two, Sullivan County has one and Williamson County is up to the count of eight.”
Tedford said approx 80 percent of the people who get COVID-19, will get sick and recover.
“It’s the other 20 percent we are concerned about,” Tedford said, “The elderly population, people with immune comprised positions and medical conditions that already exist.
“As a community, we need to mitigate the spread. We need to have a personal plan in place for you and your family – wash your hands – that’s the most effective thing we can do – use sanitizer, don’t touch your face, your eyes (or) your mouth.”
She also said the public is asked to “please not go to the emergency department or health department and asked to be tested.
“We are not conducting testing at the health department,” Tedford said, “You need to call your healthcare provider and let them instruct you … not everybody is going to have to be tested.
“Call ahead to your health care provider before you go.”
(PHOTO: Dr. Jackie Taylor, Chief Physicians Executive at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital)
David Thomas, Twitter – @DavidThomasWNWS
https://www.facebook.com/NewsTalk1015ÂÂÂÂ
