In just 12 days, Tyler Holmes Memorial Hospital has tested over 1,500 people for COVID-19 with rapid testing. However, due to a limited supply of rapid tests, the hospital is not offering rapid testing to those who aren’t showing signs of the virus.
“Those who are sick need to see a provider, whether it be in our Emergency Department, our Fast Track Clinic, or their primary care physician,” said Cori Bailey, Tyler Holmes Memorial Hospital administrator.
Bailey said when the hospital initially began the rapid testing, COVID-19 tests that produce results in as little as an hour, they tested anyone who requested one, even those not exhibiting symptoms but had been exposed to someone who tested positive. When the supply of rapid test kits from the supplier became limited, the hospital did not have the capability to test those who were not exhibiting symptoms of the virus.
“We are using our tests for patients who are sick,” Bailey said. “If you are exhibiting symptoms, you will need to see a provider and the provider will determine if you need to be tested.”
Bailey said with rapid testing, the hospital tested patients for COVID-19 from as far away as Memphis and Lake Village, AR as well as those driving from Washington, Bolivar, Leflore, Grenada, Attala, Webster, and Holmes counties.
“We had a family from Greenville who was driving home from vacation in North Carolina and stopped to get tested because they were unknowingly exposed prior to their vacation,” Bailey said.
With the state posting more than 1,000 new positive cases each day, Montgomery and Carroll counties’ case numbers have increased as well, with both counties breaking the 200 mark for new cases in the past week. Bailey said she doesn’t have the statistics to determine why the number of positive cases are increasing.
“Large gatherings of people” Bailey said. “What I like to call ‘getting outside your bubble.’”
She has also seen cases that vary on the spectrum on severity. Some people think they just have a sinus infection, while others appear to be disoriented and confused.
Bailey said the only preventative measure, besides hand washing and social distancing, against COVID-19 is the use of face coverings.
“Masks may not prevent it entirely, but it definitely helps,” Bailey said. “But anytime you are in a group of people you run the chance of coming down with it.”
Bailey also urged those who live in the home with someone who has tested positive to quarantine for 14 days, even if there are no symptoms.
