With an extended spike in cases a distinct possibility for this fall and winter, and with a surge in hospitalizations recently, Newman Regional Health has reopened its COVID-19 drive-thru testing site and Respiratory Clinic.
The hospital currently has seven patients hospitalized as of Monday morning. During KVOE’s Talk of Emporia this week, Chief Executive Officer Bob Wright said we are still in the first wave of cases even with a recent uptick.
Both Wright and Chief Quality Officer Cathy Pimple expect a second wave of cases developing by fall, if not sooner, and Pimple says both diseases have similar symptoms. That’s concerning, but Pimple says the hospital is well-prepared to handle both.
Both the drive-thru site and Respiratory Clinic had been closed for several weeks before reopening Monday. Pimple says the first round of COVID care gave the hospital a proving ground for what may come later this year.
Residents wanting to use the drive-thru facility will need to be symptomatic and will also need to get a medical referral for an appointment, which will take place weekdays from 8 am to noon and from 1-6 pm at the old emergency department entrance in the southeast corner of the hospital. The Respiratory Clinic is back at ExpressCare with the same appointment times.
Residents without a primary care provider can call ExpressCare for an appointment and an evaluation or they can also go to Lyon County Public Health at 420 West 15th to use that facility.
