Dr. James Woodard is urging Golden Triangle residents to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 novel coronavirus.
Woodard, an internal medicine specialist with Allegro Family Clinic, was one of five physicians to address the public during a medical briefing Friday night at the Allegro Clinic conference center in Columbus.
“The thing we really have to do is be careful,” Woodard said. “I know some of this quarantining is a little mind-boggling, but you’re not going to catch this virus unless you’ve been around someone who has it … There’s five ways you’re going to get it: with your mouth, your right and left nostril, and your right and left eye.”
In addition to Woodard, other physicians in attendance provided medical updates on a Facebook Live video on the Allegro Family Clinic Facebook page. Those medical professionals included: Dr. Amber Borden, a hematology/oncology specialist at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle; Dr. Michael Turner, a obstetrics and gynecology specialist with clinics in Columbus and Amory; Dr. Justin Garner, an ear, nose and throat otolaryngologist in Columbus, Starkville, West Point and Amory; and Dr. John King, a cardiologist in Columbus.
Each physician recorded a video segment lasting roughly five minutes, with each providing updates of what their clinic is doing to help combat the virus.
Testing for the virus is being performed at all of these clinics, some that include a curbside test where a doctor will take a patient’s temperature from their vehicle to ensure they remain isolated. Only those experiencing symptoms will be tested. Coronavirus symptoms include fever (a temperature greater than 100.4 degrees), shortness of breath, fatigue, a dry cough and muscle aches.
“Our nurses are getting a workout this week,” Garner said. “Going back and forth to cars, getting papers filled out and getting them checked inside without them having to be inside the waiting room with a crowd of people.”
Borden said the expected turnaround on the testing is two to three days. Woodard added the turnaround time could vary depending on the demand and how many people are sending in specimens.
Testing is not possible for someone asymptomatic or experiencing mild symptoms because of limited testing kits, Borden said. Patients that have a routine wellness visit scheduled are encouraged to reschedule.
Treatments for other non-routine medical conditions are not being halted because of the national pandemic, such as those with severe heart problems or women that are pregnant.
“People are still having babies, the coronavirus didn’t stop that,” Turner said. “We are still here and taking care of folks … We’re canceling all of our non-essential appointments. We’re definitely still seeing our patients, but for some, we may just ask you to talk over the phone with us.”
Each physician urged staying home as much as possible and practicing social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus.
Hodge is the former sports editor for The Dispatch.
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