Coronavirus continues to have an impact on the area, but Lyon County officials are starting to discuss a return to life as normal — whenever that may be.
Newman Regional Health Chief Executive Officer Bob Wright started Tuesday’s COVID-19 Community Briefing with an overview of discussions at an Emergency Operations Committee meeting from earlier in the day.
Wright urged residents to continue keeping the six-foot distance and wash hands frequently, saying “it might be quite some time” before things return to normal.
Wright’s comments followed those from Lyon County Health Officer Renee Hively on KVOE’s Newsmaker segment Monday. During that interview, Hively said the delay in test results — which is now up to 10 days — is slowing down the planning process for “reopening” the community.
Separately, Wright continued thanking the community for supplying masks and he continued requesting more. He says there is about a two-week supply of procedure masks, but the ear-loop masks will likely run out by Sunday. Residents can go online to www.newmanrh.org/facemasks for information on how to make the masks and then drop them off at the Emporia Main Street office at 727 Commercial when they are finished.
Wright also mentioned virtual visits, which are now in place at Newman Regional Health Medical Partners. Patients need access to Internet access as well as a device with a web camera like a smartphone, tablet or computer. Patients also need to call the office to schedule or reschedule an appointment and then use the hospital’s online patient portal for the virtual visit. Chronic condition management, acute conditions, wound care, specialist consultations and specialist follow-up visits are all candidates for virtual visits. Visits requiring an in-person exam or prescription of controlled substances cannot use the virtual visit method.
Wright says COVID-19 symptoms closely resemble influenza, and there has been more awareness of that similarity over time.
As of Tuesday, there have been eight patients admitted to Newman Regional Health. Three are currently receiving treatment. The rest have either been dismissed or transferred.
The KVOE-Newman Regional Health COVID019 Community Briefing returns Friday at 10:06 am on KVOE and KVOE-TV at KVOE.com.
