Health, education, government leaders speak at press conference

Whitfield Regional Hospital formally announced being an official site for COVID-19 testing at a press conference Tuesday morning.

With radio, television and print media on hand, representatives of the health, education and city and county governments let the public know what their agencies are doing during the State of Emergency concerning the coronavirus.

Emceed by Kevin McKinney, director of the Marengo County EMA, the press conference led off with Doug Brewer, CEO/Administrator of WRH, explaining the drive-thru testing site that opened Monday morning.

WRH began planning for the drive-thru last week, he said. Although a few cases were tested in the hospital’s Emergency Department before the site opened, most of the more than 10 patients have come through the testing site. It will operate seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for those people who have received doctor’s orders to be tested for the new virus.

Testing personnel dressed in protective garb will take a nasopharyngeal swab of the patient, Brewer explained. The sample is frozen immediately and then sent to a lab for testing. Results are expected in three to four days. So far, said Brewer, all tests have been negative.

While most of the patients being seen are from the county, several have been sent by doctors in neighboring counties who have faxed, emailed or phoned in orders. “It’s been really amazing,” Brewer said. “Everybody here has been willing to step up.”

The Wellness Center closed Monday, but its staff has been retrained to monitor all people coming into the hospital, which includes taking temperatures.

Dr. Ronnie Chu reiterated the symptoms of coronavirus and stressed that the incubation period is two weeks. He warned that elderly residents are more susceptible to the virus than younger people and to avoid compromising their health.

Demopolis Schools Supt. Kyle Kallhoff and Marengo County Schools Supt. Luke Hallmark each gave plans for feeding programs during the days that schools are closed.

Demopolis has two feeding sites where parents can pick up meals for any child under the age of 18 for the rest of this week and next. Sites are Westside and U.S. Jones Elementary Schools from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

The three county schools will have hot meals for the rest of this week. Spring break is the following week for the county, and no meals will be available. On Monday, March 30, parents can pick up week five days’ worth of meals.

Chairman of the Marengo County Commission Freddie Armstead and vice chairman Jason Windham stressed support for the heath care system and making sure people of the area get the best health care possible.

Reassuring the community that the city is still operating, Demopolis Mayor John Laney said, “At times like these, people need to county on city government.

City services continue to function, but the SportsPlex, library and Civic Center are closed for events. He said no layoffs are planned at this time. During the emergency, facilities are undergoing maintenance.

“Be considerate of each other,” Laney said. “We need to respect and honor each other.”