Two Locals Tested for COVID-19
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WHEELING --Two samples from patients in Marshall and Ohio counties have been sent to state authorities for testing for potential coronavirus, a local health official said Tuesday.
Howard Gamble, administrator of the Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department, said the state health department now is doing medical testing for COVID-19. Previously, all testing was performed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Samples are sent to the West Virginia Bureau of Public Health's lab in Charleston for testing.
"We and other agencies in this area don't have the equipment to test," Gamble said.
It takes three or four business days to get test results, he said. Anyone suspected of having COVID-19 is advised to practice self-isolation for 14 days.
The novel coronavirus is more concerning to the medical community than influenza because COVID-19 has no vaccine and no standard of care, he said.
As health officials prepare for an outbreak, he said, "Wheeling Hospital has been a great partner so far. … The ER and infection control are very good in communicating with us."
Personnel from the health department also have met with representatives of all health care facilities in Ohio County to review issues related to coronavirus, he said.
"Locally, we could and should anticipate cases," Gamble told the Wheeling-Ohio County Board of Health at its meeting Tuesday.
Hand washing, use of hand sanitizer and social distancing should be practiced, while some events may be postponed. Gamble said mass vaccination clinics would be held if a COVID-19 vaccine is ever developed.
Testing for COVID-19 is done if influenza or other viruses are ruled out as causes for respiratory symptoms, he said.
"Our challenge is always to be watching very closely on one hand, but not creating a panic situation," said Dr. John Holloway, board chair and private physician.
Currently, the risk of infection is "extremely low for our geographic region," Gamble said, adding, "The media have been very good in getting the message out."
Dr. Thomas G. Wack, interim county health officer, recommended the public educate themselves with proper sources of information, such as the CDC and their own physicians.
"Caution, common sense and prevention is the way to go at this time," Wack said.