This article was writtten March 12 with many action changes in the community
With the health and safety of Winston County citizens in mind, a Winston County Public Health and Medical Service meeting was held between local officials and leaders to review pandemic plan of the county.
Winston County Emergency Management Director Buddy King headed up the meeting to review roles and responsibilities of the county’s pandemic plan and plan for any escalation in the coronavirus in the state and county.
“This is a bit early but we a doing a preemptive meeting to cut done on anxiety and have plans in place.
There are no identified cases of corona virus in the county and only 1 confirmed in the state in Forrest County.
King noted that Winston Medical Center will take the lead role in the plan.
Winston Medical Senior Care Centers (Nursing home)
The Winston Medical Center as of Saturday will have in place a no-visitor policy for its elderly care rooms and cottages (nursing home).
“We are completely locked down for an unknown length of time to protect all those we care for” said Lacey Vowell, Senior Care Services Administrator Winston Medical Center. “We understand how important the support of loved ones and friends is to residents during their stay but we have to protect everyone in this situation.”
Items and gifts for residents may be brought to the faciliate and given to the staff at the front door explained Vowell.
Vowell noted during the meeting that all staff are screened prior to each shift to insure they are not sick prior to working with any of the residents.
Vowell also noted that family of residents had been notified by phone and by letter of the changes with all the contact numbers of the faciliate and staff.
Why these measures in a pandemic
“This is a novel version of a well-known virus,” said Dr. Dustin Gentry of Winston Medical Center.
“We have no cases in Winston County,” he noted. “Symptoms are almost like influenza,” he added.
He explained all the precautions are to protect those who are susceptible to the disease.
“It is our social responsibility to protect those who are susceptible,” he said. “This is about ‘building a wall’ around those that the virus is a threat to.”
Symptoms of the virus include fever and lower respiratory illness (cough, difficulty breathing). The illness can be more serious for individuals with a weakened immune system, the elderly, or those with underlying respiratory problems.
Winston County does have the ability test for the virus and is working with the state department of health on all testing.
State response:
Following Wednesday night’s announcement of the first reported coronavirus (COVID-19) case in the state, Mississippi State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs, MD, MPH, and Mississippi Emergency Management Association(MEMA) Executive Director Gregory S. Michel held a press conference this morning announcing major updates and new community recommendations for preventing the spread of the virus.
“The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is expanding access to COVID-19 testing. Physicians may now submit specimens to the Mississippi Public Health Laboratory or commercial labs without prior consultation with MSDH, just like any other lab test. This will streamline necessary testing as much as possible,” said Dr. Dobbs.
Additionally, Dobbs said the MSDH is expanding recommendations for long-term care visitors and mass social gatherings.
“We know that this virus is easily spread person to person, so we recommend limiting visitations and discontinuing any group social activities in long-term care facilities,” he said.
Regarding mass gatherings, the MSDH recommends that individuals, communities and organizations take specific steps when determining their safety or the need for cancellation.
“Stay informed of the cases in your county and surrounding counties, and maintain social distancing as practical,” said Dobbs. “Our older population and chronically ill individuals should protect themselves by avoiding gatherings of more than 250 people.”
There is no recommendation at this time that schools should close. Complete details of the updated information and guidance are available on the MSDH website.
Governor Tate Reeves and Dr. Dobbs have been working closely since the beginning of the outbreak.
“With the outbreak of the coronavirus spreading throughout the country and the world, we anticipated it eventually reaching Mississippi and planned ahead. When it comes to the health and safety of Mississippians, we’re not taking any chances,” said Gov. Reeves.
“Thanks to the advance preparation and planning ahead of confirmed cases and Dr. Dobbs’s and Director Michel’s leadership, we are prepared to respond decisively and quickly. Mississippians should not panic our approach will be calm and steady. We continue to prioritize our effort to protect public health and save lives,” he said.
Executive Director of MEMA Greg Michel says MEMA is moving to a Level-One Activation in response to COVID-19.
“This is a posturing move to make sure all of our emergency support functions are in place to assist the Mississippi State Department of Health. This activation is not to create panic. We at MEMA are ready to coordinate with our county emergency management agencies and MSDH to ensure there are no unmet needs during the response and recovery from COVID-19,” he said.
