COVID 19 Forum
Date: 2020-03-20 Type: COVID Briefing
Quick Summary
Andalusia Health confirmed testing capability with Alabama Dept. of Health support and described CDC-based prioritization (high‑risk/symptomatic). The county established a 24/7 Covington County COVID hotline staffed by Andalusia Health. Hospital screening procedures (masks at entry) and ventilator capacity with backup anesthesia machines were described; test turnaround was reported as about 2–4 days.
Key Decisions
- Establish a Covington County COVID hotline to provide facts and route symptomatic callers to appropriate care; the hotline will be staffed by Andalusia Health personnel 24/7.
- Implement entry screening at the hospital: fever checks, questions, and provision of masks to patients who screen positive.
- Prioritize COVID-19 testing per CDC guidance—testing reserved for high‑risk patients and symptomatic individuals meeting criteria (including recent travel to higher‑case areas); flu swab used first to rule out influenza.
- Maintain ventilator capacity and plan to repurpose available anesthesia machines and other equipment as backup for respiratory support.
Notable Discussion
- Andalusia Health has testing equipment and is receiving tests from the Alabama Department of Public Health, but testing is being allocated to prioritized patients.
- Turnaround time for test results was reported as approximately 2–4 days from specimen collection to result, with expectation this may shorten as capacity increases.
- Hospital will screen entrants rigorously (fever checks, questions) and provide masks at the door.
- Officials emphasized limiting tests to those who meet criteria so supplies are available for those who most need them.
- PPE collection and preparation efforts are underway in anticipation of increased local cases.
Action Items
- Operate the Covington County COVID hotline 24/7 via Andalusia Health staff to answer public health questions and direct symptomatic callers to care.
- Continue hospital entry screening: check for fever, ask exposure/travel questions, and provide masks to those who screen positive.
- Follow CDC guidance to prioritize testing for high‑risk and symptomatic patients; perform flu swab first to exclude influenza before COVID testing.
- Monitor and expand testing throughput to reduce 2–4 day turnaround where possible.
- Prepare ventilator capacity and ready anesthesia machines and other convertible equipment as backup for respiratory support.