Coronavirus
Coronaviruses are respiratory viruses named for the crown-like spikes on
the surface of the virus. These range from viruses that cause the common
cold to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East Respiratory
Syndrome (MERS). The latest coronavirus originating in China is called
the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although Americans are at a greater
risk of getting seriously ill from the influenza virus than the coronavirus,
our infectious disease team is well prepared.
Coronavirus Cases Dashboad
Keep up to date by checking in daily on our Coronavirus Cases Dashboard,
which highlights the number of people tested for COVID-19, how many are
pending and how many tests return positive at the Health System, our coastal
counties and for the state of Georgia.
Coronavirus Cases Dashboard
Coronavirus Updates at Southeast Georgia Health System
For updated information regarding Coronavirus at Southeast Georgia Health
System, visit our News Center by clicking on the link below.
Coronavirus Updates
Visitor Restrictions
In light of the national and state public health emergency related to
COVID-19, Southeast Georgia Health System is taking extra precautions to try to
minimize the spread of the illness in the community. The Health System
will institute tighter visitation restrictions at all hospitals and physician
practices, and all support groups are suspended until further notice.
Visitor Restrictions
Screening Hotline
Call: 912-466-7222, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Hotline is staffed with Health System nurses and advanced practice
providers and will offer immediate access to
Southeast Georgia Physician Associates health care providers, if needed. Patients who meet the criteria for an
in-person
coronavirus screening will be given an appointment and instructions for a virtual
or in-person physical exam and, if warranted, instructions for testing.
Learn More
The spread of coronavirus
Coronavirus is spread by close person-to-person contact. Close contact
is defined as being within approximately six feet of another person so
that droplets from a cough or sneeze can get into the mouth, nose or lungs.
The risk of contracting the coronavirus in the United States is low, but
our infectious disease team will follow all Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) recommendations to handle incidents of coronavirus
should they occur, as we do with all infectious diseases.
The latest guidance on COVID-19 is available through the GDPH at its toll-free
number, 1-866-PUB-HLTH (1-866-782-4584), its website
dph.georgia.gov/novelcoronavirus or through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at
cdc.gov.
Coronavirus symptoms
The CDC is making a test to determine whether patients have coronavirus.
General testing by your health care provider will not identify the COVID-19
strain. Symptoms of coronavirus may appear in as few as two days or in
as many as fourteen days after exposure.
Symptoms can include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
But these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness. The symptoms
are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.
It's very unlikely you will contract coronavirus if:
- you have not been in close contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus.
- you have not been to a country or area with a high risk of coronavirus
in the last 14 days.
Updated Travel Information
When to call your health care provider?
If you are experiencing the above symptoms (fever, cough or difficulty
breathing) AND you have traveled to an affected area or have been in close
contact with an individual that has traveled to an impacted area, and
you think you need to be tested for COVID-19,
please call your health care provider BEFORE visiting their office. Be sure to inform them of your symptoms and travel history or exposure
to a person diagnosed with the virus.
If you do not have a health care provider, or if your symptoms are serious,
please call the
Glynn Immediate Care Center at 912-466-5800, the
Brunswick Campus Emergency Care Center at 912-466-2001, or the
Camden Campus Emergency Care Center at 912-576-6130. We will work with you to determine if you need to be
tested and provide you with additional instructions.
You may also call our Screening Hotline, 912-466-7222, Monday-Friday, 8
a.m.-5 p.m.
When to Call 911
How is Southeast Georgia Health System prepared for the coronavirus?
Our infectious disease team on both our Brunswick and Camden Campus hospitals
have the PPE required to safely treat patients with Coronavirus–
masks, eye protection, gowns, gloves – specifically designated to
treat patients suspected of having an infectious virus. Our hospital team
members who provide medical care are trained on guidelines for putting
on and taking off PPE. Both our Brunswick and Camden Campus hospitals
also have negative pressure rooms that are intended for patient isolation
and are designed so air goes inside the room and not out when the door
opens thereby containing the virus to that room.
What can you do to avoid the coronavirus?
You are at a greater risk of getting seriously ill from the influenza virus
than the coronavirus. Consider getting a flu shot if you haven’t
already. There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus. The best
way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
The following tips will help prevent the spread of coronavirus as well
as other respiratory viruses:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap
and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with
at least 60 percent alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, especially with unwashed hands.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneezes with a tissue or sneeze into your elbow. Throw
the tissue in the garbage and make sure to clean your hands afterwards.
- Avoid close contact with people who are showing symptoms of illness.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Stay informed
For further information regarding the coronavirus, its spread, prevention
and travel information, please refer to the Center for Disease Control
and Prevention.
Resources
-
Coastal Health District provides answers to some of the frequently asked questions the Health
District hears most often from the public, community partners and media.
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Georgia Department of Public Health has a map and chart showing all the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Georgia,
and any associated deaths. This map/chart is updated daily at noon.
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Georgia Department of Public Health has also added more information and guidance for various populations and
groups. If you scroll down the home page you'll see a bunch of links
to dig deeper.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website continues to be our go-to for a lot of good information.
- The state has recently opened a telephone hotline for COVID-19 questions
from the public. That public hotline number is 844-442-2681.
-
World Health Organization is also a wonderful resource for up to date, accurate information.
Information courtesy of Association for Professionals in Infection Control
and Epidemiology and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.