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Jackson, Miss. (March 20, 2020) – The University of Mississippi Medical Center is leading an effort to address the state’s community COVID-19 outbreak by offering triage for symptoms via a new smartphone telehealth app and collection of testing samples at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds.
Residents who believe they have symptoms of the virus must start the triage process beginning Monday by using the free app, C Spire Health UMMC Virtual COVID-19 Triage, created by the Medical Center and C Spire. The app is available for screening from 8 a.m.-8 p.m., seven days a week.
Only those triaged for risk through the app can take part in the collection of samples, at no cost, at the Fairgrounds beginning on Tuesday. They must arrive at their scheduled time and present an identification number given to them from the app. “This is not wide-open testing,” said Dr. LouAnn Woodward, UMMC’s vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine.
Individuals found by UMMC Center for Telehealth providers to be at high risk for infection will receive a next-day appointment at drive-through tents at the Fairgrounds. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., seven days a week. No one will get out of their vehicle; providers wearing protective gear will come to their window and swab their noses to retrieve specimens for testing to be performed at the Mississippi State Department of Health.
UMMC will notify those tested of the results and give further instructions. Those without a smartphone showing symptoms and who want to be screened can call 601-496-7200. Anyone not experiencing symptoms is asked not to use the app or call.
App users determined to be at low risk for infection won’t receive an appointment for collection of specimens, but instead will receive instructions on social distancing, home isolation and self-care – and told to call back if symptoms worsen.
The app is downloadable March 23 from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Those who have already downloaded the existing C Spire Health telehealth app will need to make sure their app is updated Monday to reflect the UMMC Virtual COVID-19 Triage usage.
Dr. Jonathan Wilson, UMMC chief administrative officer, said the drive-through collection site leverages the Medical Center’s expertise in emergency services and telehealth to support a pressing health care need in the state.
The first day of screening on Tuesday won’t be perfect, he and other state medical leaders say. “There’s not a clear playbook for this. We are using best practices from around the country, and we will change and adapt as we go. We will continue as long as we have specimen collection materials and good weather,” Wilson said.
“We don’t have time to do a lot of practice runs. We need to do this sooner rather than later.”
“We are offering our disaster response experience and our state-of-the-art telehealth services to support the public health efforts of the Mississippi State Department of Health,” Wilson said. “This field collection site will help the Medical Center continue to function as a tertiary hospital to care for the sickest patients, rather than consume its resources taking care of low-acuity patients.”
How it will work: Users of the app will be placed in a virtual waiting room to be picked up by a provider. They’ll be asked if they have symptoms including cough, fever, shortness of breath or sore throat.
