Employers should be screening

Businesses that are still able to be open should be screening their employees prior to allowing them to enter.  While every business may not be able to check the temperature of their employees, they can ask them these key questions: 1.) Do you have a cough?  2.) Are you having difficulty breathing? 3.) Do you have muscle aches or body aches?  4.) Do you feel like you have a fever? 5.) Have you traveled anywhere in the past 14 days?  6.) Have you been around anyone who has traveled in the past 14 days?  7.) Does you feel sick in any way?  If they answer yes to any of these symptoms, especially numbers 1-4, you should strongly consider sending them back home and telling them to self-quarantine.    

Also, as a reminder, we cannot test every person who has any of these symptoms just to clear them to go back to work.  Collection kits are limited and must be reserved for patients who meet screening criteria for testing.  People with symptoms of cough, shortness of breath, and/or fever can contact their physician or 334-528-SICK for screening.    

Community Support

City, county and school officials have been receiving daily updates from EAMC for more than two weeks.  Today, EAMC President and CEO and Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller and Auburn Mayor Ron Anders gathered on the phone for dialogue.  Grill opened with an assessment of where EAMC stands at this point and then listened as each mayor talked about steps their cities had taken, including the closure of some services.  When asked by the mayors how they could help the most right now, Grill responded by asking each mayor to stress to their residents the importance of sheltering in place and practicing social distancing.  The mayors pledged to do that and are looking at other ways to offer their support during this pandemic.   

Video

EAMC released a video last night of Dr. Trey Wages providing an update to the community based on his experience this week working with the 334-528-SICK hotline.  Dr. Wages provided many good tips as well as some assurance on how we as a community can help stop the spread of COVID-19.  The video can be found on East Alabama Medical Center’s Facebook page.

Shelter at Home (graphic attached for your use)

Health officials are asking that everyone please shelter in place at home. Sheltering in place means you stay at home with immediate family members only and should not leave your home except for essential activities such as food, medical care, or work. You should not host gatherings of people outside of your immediate family. You should also maintain a 6-foot distance from other people as much as possible, wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds each time, and frequently disinfect high-touch surfaces.

Drive-through Collections Sites

As of Sunday, more than 500 people have provided specimens for testing at one of four labs.  Initial turnaround time for testing was 2-3 days, but is more like 4-5 days now because of the amount of testing taking place nationwide.  Only about 1/3 of the tests that we have submitted have been resulted so far.  The HealthPlus drive-through testing site will have one lane open tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The testing site may be suspended for periods of time due to weather. 

SCREENING AND TESTING

Hours for our 334-528-SICK hotline are 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

• Specimen collection will continue daily at HealthPlus and at EAMC-Lanier, but is based on available supplies.  Also, appointments can only be made by  through the 334-528-SICK hotline…see information below on how that works. 
• Regarding screening and collection of samples, here’s what the public needs to know:
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  • People having MILD symptoms should treat COVID-19 in a similar way they would the seasonal flu, except not to use ibuprofen.  Speak with a pharmacist about which over-the-counter medicines are best for you.  Also, isolate yourself from family and friends.     
  • People who feel they need medical attention should contact their primary care physician or other local provider. 
  • If the medical provider determines a COVID-19 test is warranted, they will collect the specimen there and submit to ADPH or to an independent lab.  If the physician’s office is out of supplies or do not have the ability to collect, the patient can call 334-528-SICK for evaluation.   
  • Calls to 334-528-SICK should be used when exhibiting the COVID-19 symptoms and possible emergent care is needed.
  • Calls to 334-528-SICK does not guarantee a COVID-19 specimen will be collected and submitted for testing.  Instead, patients will be screened on the phone and if the medical provider on the phone determines a COVID-19 test is warranted, directions will be provided on going to EAMC’s drive-through collection center.