Lawrence, MA– On March 10, Massachusetts declared a state of emergency in response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus 2019). In response to growing community concern surrounding the disease, Lawrence General Hospital is now offering two new coronavirus community screening resources where patients, families, and providers in the community can obtain an assessment of a person’s COVID-19 risk, possible need for testing, and recommendations for next steps.
“As with any health threat, Lawrence General Hospital wants to reassure the community that care and safety are top priorities,” says George Kondylis, MD, chief of emergency medicine at Lawrence General. “The hospital continues to be vigilant in limiting risk of exposure of any highly contagious disease, including COVID-19.”
If someone in the community is concerned they have or were possibly exposed to COVID-19, Kondylis recommends they first use one of Lawrence General’s two new community screening resources to determine if they meet the CDC guidelines for testing based on symptoms, travel and exposures.
“It’s important to keep in mind that the majority of COVID-19 cases nationwide are mild, much like the flu, and only a small percentage of patients will require hospitalization or even a trip to the emergency room,” Says Kondylis. We’ve added these screening tools to provide guidance for those with symptoms to help limit risk of exposing others in the community.”
While the hospital’s COVID-19 screening resources do not provide medical treatment, the nurses staffing the line will be able to help better determine if someone meets the criteria for testing and advise them on how to proceed with testing and/or treatment.
BY PHONE: The Lawrence General Hospital COVID-19 (Coronavirus 2019) Community Screening line is staffed by Lawrence General nurses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be reached by calling (978) 946-8409. In an effort to reduce transmission, those with mild respiratory symptoms, fever and cough, are asked to call the screening line prior to seeking a COVID-19 screening at the hospital. Those experiencing severe illness or a medical emergency, in which case they should call 911.
ONLINE: The community can also use Lawrence General’s new online screening tool at LawrenceGeneral.org, where they will be prompted to answer several screening questions before being contacted by a nurse for follow-up guidance.
Lawrence General Hospital has also activated its Emergency Preparedness Plan for optimal communication, collaboration and information sharing both inside the hospital and with state and local community leaders and health officials. Additionally, the hospital’s infection control specialists, emergency specialists, and administrators continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 (Coronavirus 2019) outbreak. The hospital routinely conducts reviews around preparedness for coronavirus and has put in place safety protocols based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH).
