Officials: Assume you have COVID-19
Experts encourage residents to get tested
Newly reported COVID-19 infections in Shelby County spiked to 1,163 on Thursday, public health officials warned people over 65 to restrict their activities, and said that in many cases, people should assume they have the virus and seek out tests.
On Saturday and Sunday, testing is available from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Tiger Lane near the Fairgrounds at 450 Early Maxwell Blvd. and also at the Poplar Healthcare lab at 3495 Hacks Cross Rd.
Free testing continues next week. Appointments are available online at poplarhealthcare.reg fox.com/test-to-pro tect-covid-19-surgetesting-event-1219-1220.
The county’s health officer, Dr. Bruce Randolph noted in an online news conference that Tennessee’s statewide outbreak is one of the worst in the nation — according to the CDC, the state’s per capita cases rank behind only Oklahoma.
He read recent recommendations from the White House Coronavirus Task Force:
“All public officials must make it clear that if you are over 65 or with
significant health conditions, you should not enter any indoor public space where anyone is unmasked, due to the immediate risk to your health.”
People over 65 or with significant health conditions should try to have essential items such as groceries and medications delivered, he said.
Public health officials: Assume you have COVID-19
Randolph continued to read from the White House document, which addressed infections re
lated to Thanksgiving celebrations.
“If you are under the age of 40, you need to assume you became infected if you gathered beyond your immediate household,” Randolph read. “And you should get tested.”
Doug Mcgowen, the city’s chief operating officer, said in the news conference that far too often, people have assumed that their minor symptoms are seasonal allergies. In some cases they go to work for days and expose their entire workplace.
“Do not assume that
your symptoms are anything other than COVID-19,” Mcgowen said. “You must assume that they are.”
Hospital strain continues; 117 sign up for medical corps
Hospitals continue to work to address the influx of COVID-19 patients. As of Wednesday, local hospitals were caring for 551 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infections, plus another 63 under investigation for possible infection.
Acute care beds stood at 95% full, and higher
level intensive care unit beds stood at 97% full.
Hospitals are finding workarounds to increase their intensive care unit capacity, including turning regular hospital rooms into intensive care rooms, Mcgowen said.
The hospitals are working to bring on new staff — one method is the Tennessee Medical Reserve Corps. Mcgowen said 117 people have signed up recently, but more are needed.
Both medical and nonmedical positions are needed, and some jobs are paid, the state says. Applications are online at the Tennessee Department of Health’s web site.
Updated health directive coming, possibly on Monday
The public health officials said they’re considering a wide range of measures to slow down the spread of the virus. “We’re considering everything,” said Alisa Haushalter, head of the Shelby County Health Department.
An updated set of rules known as a health directive is under review. The process may be completed early Monday, Haushalter said.
Investigative reporter Daniel Connolly welcomes tips and comments from the public. Reach him at 529-5296, daniel.connolly@commercialappeal.com, or on Twitter at @danielconnolly.