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Local Hospitals Say Covid Numbers are Increasing, Provide Information on Treatment Options
Local hospitals in Simpson County are showing a rise in the number of Covid-19 patients they are seeing. Representatives from both Magee General and Simpson General Hospitals say that Covid remains a threat and encourage community members to stay vigilant in their efforts to prevent exposure to the virus. Listed below is the most up-to-date information provided by these hospitals on the prevention, testing, and treatment of Covid-19.
Prevention
“The most recent strain we are seeing is quite contagious,” says Dr. George Gillespie of Magee General. “People should wash their hands frequently and avoid those who are ill. Although most people getting Covid these days do not require hospitalization, it’s still a difficult illness to endure for many who are diagnosed.”
Vaccines continue to be the best line of defense against serious illness. Dr. Chip Holbrook, Simpson General Chief of Staff, states, “It is very important for older and immunocompromised individuals to stay on top of receiving their boosters. The boosters have proven to reduce the severity of the illness and complications brought on by the Covid-19 virus.”
Parents are advised to vaccinate their children against coronavirus as well. Shana Lane, Simpson General Director of Infection Control and Prevention states, ”With school starting right around the corner, families should make sure that their children are up to date with their Covid-19 Vaccinations. Vaccines are now available for children six months and older.”
Vaccines are available free of charge from the Covington County Hospital Clinics, as well as all Simpson General clinics located in Mendenhall, Harrisville, and Puckett.
Testing and Treatment
Because patients now are responsible for paying for Covid testing, hospitals recommend utilizing in-home tests if possible.
“In-home Covid tests are widely available, reliable, and much less expensive than an emergency room visit,” said Dr. Gillespie. “If you test positive and your symptoms are not severe, you should quarantine for five days, then mask up when you go out in public for five days afterwards.”
Upon a positive Covid diagnosis, patients should first:
- Get plenty of fluids and rest.
- Take over-the-counter medicines as needed.
- If you notice an increasing shortness of breath, visit your local Emergency Department or call your primary medical provider.
For those whose symptoms are more severe, the MSDH and the CDC are currently recommending Paxlovid as the primary treatment, which is offered an affordable price. In some cases it is available at a pharmacy without a prescription, but patients should check with their pharmacy or physician to find out more information. Remdisivir is another reliable treatment, but the cost is prohibitive for most patients. Monoclonal antibodies, usually given as an infusion, are the third line of defense but there is a national shortage of these and they are hard to obtain at this time.
Visit mghosp.org or simpsongeneral.com to learn more.
MageeNews.com is an online news source serving Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the State of Mississippi.
