34 cases. 1 week. As coronavirus testing expands, Coast doctor has message for locals
Testing for the new coronavirus is expanding in South Mississippi, with the number of cases expected to rise as well.
“Testing is becoming more widely available,” said Nicholas Conger, an infectious disease doctor at Memorial Hospital at Gulfport. “We are being resupplied now with testing supplies, but we don’t have unlimited supplies.”
He said the hospital is expanding COVID-19 tests from one clinic to six as the number of patients who need testing climbs. Tests are still limited to people displaying symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath. The full set of guidelines for testing can be found on the Mississippi Health Department website.
Still, many residents continue to go about their normal lives, as evidenced by foot traffic in businesses and busy restaurants.
Conger said people need to take precautions.
“We are seeing positive tests in our community now and I expect that number to rise, especially since we are increasing the number of tests,” he said. “I would encourage people to take it seriously.”
A big concern is that the communities across the nation could experience a shortage of hospital beds and ventilators if the new coronavirus becomes widespread. In Italy and China, widespread cases forced decisions on who would live or die.
Mississippi has gone from one case of COVID-19 diagnosed on March 11 in a man from Forrest County to 34 cases on Wednesday, the state Health Department reports. Ten of those cases are on the Coast: two in Hancock County, four in Harrison County and six in Pearl River County.
No COVID-19 deaths have been reported in Mississippi.
The hope is social distancing and cancellation of bigger events will slow the spread.
In Mississippi, the Gaming Commission has closed casinos, a gathering place for crowds and travelers. Many events have also been canceled.
Conger recommends that businesses still open post signs on their doors advising customers who feel sick not to come in but instead make contact by phone and call a healthcare professional for direction.
“Those are things every business should be doing,” he said. “I’m not saying we should close everything down immediately. I think we should take this seriously when we are being asked to limit people in large groups to try to change the trajectory of infection.”
President Trump has issued guidelines recommending that people temporarily gather in groups of no more than 10. The CDC says all gatherings of 250 or more should be canceled and puts the number at 10 for organizations that serve high-risk populations.
The new coronavirus can be transmitted by people who are carriers but not yet displaying symptoms. Conger said this is rare, however.
The average incubation period, he said, is four to five days. Conger said 98 percent of people display symptoms within two to 11 days.
People who believe they have symptoms are advised to contact a healthcare professional rather than showing up at a clinic for testing. Memorial has a hotline set up: 228-867-5000.
If clinics become overwhelmed with patients, Conger said Memorial has a contingency plan to set up a triage tent for testing.
This story was originally published March 18, 2020 at 3:00 PM.
