COVID-19

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, a mobile military testing site was set up in Fredericksburg. Locally, Gillespie County saw five cases, but cases across the nation reached over one million. — Standard-Radio Post file photo

Virus hits close to home

In early March, the United States saw its first cases of COVID-19, a respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China.

Soon, out of caution, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention implemented several precautions to help reduce the spread of the virus.

Schools, restaurants, city and county facilities shut down and persons were urged to stay at home and quarantine.

Events and gatherings across the county, state and nation were canceled per recommendations from the CDC.

Gillespie County

The first case of COVID-19 in Gillespie County was reported in April and as of press time, the county has seen five total cases.

All are considered recovered.

Out of precaution, Hill Country Memorial converted a wing to negative pressure rooms in the intensive care unit.

“Normally, a closed door is really all that is necessary but if a patient needs specialized equipment or treatment, this would prevent further spread and contamination,” Dr. James Partin, Chief Medical Officer at HCM, said.

HCM also limited visitation in the hospital and halted elective surgeries.

“We have learned to be agile,” Hill Country Memorial CEO Jayne Pope said. “Because we are in healthcare, caring for patients means needing to be agile as conditions change and we always need to be prepared.”

From early on, HCM worked with the Texas Hospital Association, Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council, Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals and other entities to develop a contingency plan.

“I think we had a lot of plans in place and (HCM) already has such a strong focus on reducing infections,” Pope said.

Healthcare changes

The coronavirus pandemic has brought many changes to the entire healthcare system. Partin expects some of these changes to continue long after the pandemic is over.

“I think our virtual visits will outlive the pandemic,” Partin said. “Patients are going to become accustomed to that convenience and will demand for that to continue.”

HCM was the first hospital in the state to test thermal scans, a device that scans the face and takes the body’s temperature.

“I don’t see this technology going away and we want to ensure that we are looking to make sure our team is healthy and people coming into our organization are healthy,” Pope said.

U.S. Cases

The first case of COVID-19 in the United States was reported on Jan. 21, 2020.

The current count of cases of COVID19 in the United States is available on CDC’s webpage at www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us. html.

As of press time, the U.S. reports 1.8 million cases and over 105,000 deaths.

See COVID-19 ▶ 9

www.mainstreeturgentcaretx.com

“Home Town Care and Compassion, Big city quality URGENT CARE.”

1426 E. Main St., Ste. 300 Fredericksburg, TX 78624 830-997-9995

OPEN 7 Days a week Mon-Fri 8-6, Sat 8-4, Sun 10-4

HCM – HERE WHEN YOU NEED US

IMMEDIATE CARE CLINICS Fredericksburg

1031 S State Hwy 16 / (830) 992-2820 Open 7 days a week. Mon-Sat 8am-8pm, Sun 10am-6pm

Llano

1310 Ford St / (325) 247-WELL (9355) Open Mon-Fri 8am-7pm

ER - 24/7 EMERGENCY CARE (830) 997-4353

1020 S State Hwy 16 / Fredericksburg

HCM SERVICES

To find a doctor, visit hillcountrymemorial.org/doctor/find

or call (800) 578-0631 with questions about our services.

HCM MEDICAL GROUP

Medical offices in Fredericksburg, Kerrville, Johnson City, Llano, Marble Falls and Boerne.

(830) 990-1404 HOME CARE (830) 997-1336

808 Reuben Street, Floor 2 Fredericksburg

HOSPICE (830) 997-1335

808 Reuben Street, Floor 2 Fredericksburg

INFUSION (830) 997-1265

1009 S Milam, Suite 2 Fredericksburg

BREAST CENTER (830) 990-6181

808 Reuben Street Fredericksburg

OBSTETRICS (830) 997-1253

Callioux Birthing Center 1011 S Milam St Fredericksburg

OUTPATIENT REHAB

402 W Windcrest / Fredericksburg (830) 997-1357 / (830) 997-1358 (cardiac & pulmonary) 511 US Hwy 281 / Marble Falls Physical Therapy (830) 992-2830

ORTHOPEDICS (830) 990-6134

1020 S State Hwy 16 Fredericksburg

SLEEP LAB (830) 992-2552

1002 North Llano St Fredericksburg

WELLNESS CENTER (830) 997-1355

1006 S State Hwy 16 Fredericksburg

WOUND CARE (830) 997-1265

1009 S Milam, Suite 1 Fredericksburg

LAB (830) 997-4253

1020 S State Hwy 16 Fredericksburg

IMAGING AND RADIOLOGY (830) 997-1418

1020 S State Hwy 16 Fredericksburg