September 7, Update:
The Greater Greenbrier COVID-19 Task Force met this morning via conference call and reports the following information.
- GREENBRIER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT. We strongly encourage folks to wear a mask indoors while substantial spread is occurring. Hospitals are currently at or near capacity in our region. The only way out of this is vaccinations and masking. The delta surge isn’t expected to peak for several more weeks. Updated case numbers will be posted as usual.
- GREENBRIER VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER. We have 18 COVID positives in-house currently with 7 patients in the ICU and11 in the COVID unit. Thereof those patients are on ventilators. These are the highest counts we’ve experienced during the pandemic. Our facility is closed to visitors right now in order to keep our staff and patients safe. As with other hospitals and industries, we are experiencing a staffing shortage which limits our capability to accept patients. We are doing our best to care for all patients. Please reserve emergencies for the emergency room. Thank you.
- TESTING SITES. The hospital is NOT a public testing site; they are focused on treating patients who are positive. Please visit other providers such as Robert C Byrd Clinic, Rainelle Medical, MedExpress, CVS, and more for testing.
- ROBERT C BYRD CLINIC. We have seen significant growth in the number of patients presenting for testing and treatment to our mobile clinic. As a result, starting this week, we have expanded our hours for testing to 9:00 am until 3:30 pm Monday through Friday. Our mobile clinic alone is seeing 80-90 patients per day. We still offer the PCR tests with results in 24 – 48 hours. Rapid tests are very hard to get right now, but we do our best to keep a steady supply available. We continue to provide vaccines Monday-Friday as part of routine visits and vaccine clinics on Thursdays and Friday. Some of our regular appointments may shift to telehealth in the near future. Next week, we will begin offering monoclonal antibody injections. (These are different from the infusions, which are offered by other local providers.)
- RAINELLE MEDICAL CENTER. We are doing FREE COVID testing every weekday at the Rainelle site from 10am-12pm and 1pm-4pm, with the exception of Friday only being 10-12. Vaccines continue to be offered every Thursday by appointment only from 9am to 5:30pm. Rapid testing is by appointment only and only for those who have symptoms, if rapid tests are available. We also offer free testing at the site behind Greenbrier East from 10am-12pm on Monday-Thursday. We get results back within 72 hours. Free sports physicals are available there also. Please call to make an appointment at 304-645-1052. We are beginning to offer monoclonal antibody treatment. Please call the main office to make an appointment.
- COMMITTEE ON AGING. Our centers are now closed for activities and meals (Fairlea and Rupert), but we continue to offer in-home/delivery services. We are also continuing to provide all regular services. Masks are required at our facilities. We are actively seeking employees to continue providing services to our seniors. If you’re interested, please call 304-392-5138.
- THE HUB. Meals will begin again in a few weeks. The cafe, tech express, and dinner specials will be available throughout the 21-22 school year. We are taking a few weeks to make plans right now. Americorps positions are open now if you know folks who are interested.
- THE GREENBRIER. A blood drive will occur at the Greenbrier Sports Performance Center on Sept 22 from 11am-4pm. Vaccinations will also be available that day from 1-4pm. Both Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson will be available.
- 2-1-1. United Way continues to operate 2-1-1. Citizens can call 2-1-1 at anytime to request help with services they need to access.
- VOLUNTEER SHIRTS. If you volunteered during the pandemic and haven’t received your t-shirt yet, please contact Jennifer Mason so she can get one to you. Her email is: Jennifer.Mason@dinsmore.com.
- WEEKLY MEETING. Since we are in the midst of a surge, our Task Force meets weekly to stay on top of the situation.
Submitted by Senator Stephen Baldwin, chair of the Task Force.
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