What You Need to Know About Coronavirus
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact our nation, we remain your partner in care. Our team members are screened daily prior to caring for patients or working in any capacity within the hospital and our facility continues to undergo extensive cleaning of high-touch areas.
We urge anyone with fever, a dry cough or other symptoms consistent with COVID-19 to contact their primary care physician prior to seeking care.
With so much news about the disease, it can be overwhelming to stay up to date on the most current information. Morgan Medical Center is committed to sharing quality, accurate information with our community. To that end we have compiled the following resources to keep you informed.
Morgan Medical Center Visitor Policy
To ensure the health and safety of our patients, we are limiting visitors in our facility to immediate family members only. Each patient is allowed to receive one visitor at a time, unless otherwise noted by hospital staff. We require temperature checks and face coverings for all guests entering the hospital. We encourage you to consider other means of keeping in touch with patients, such as phone calls, emails, cards and social media. Thank you for your understanding during this time.
COVID-19 Vaccines
Morgan Medical Center is not a public distribution site for the COVID-19 vaccine. All public vaccine distribution is being coordinated by the Georgia Department of Public Health. Individuals interested in obtaining the vaccine may contact the Northeast Health District at 706-340-0996 or online to register to receive the vaccine as it becomes available.
Common Prevention Methods
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
Morgan Medical Center recommends following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for prevention:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Put distance (6 ft. or more) between yourself and others who may be sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw it away.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces (such as tables, countertops, doorknobs, light switches, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks) using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; or if your hands are visibly dirty. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Should I wear a face mask?
The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where social distancing guidelines may be difficult to maintain (such as the grocery store, pharmacy, etc.). Simple face coverings can help slow the spread of the virus and help prevent the spread of the disease to others. Individuals are encouraged to routinely wash their face coverings in a washing machine and avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth when removing the covering.
The CDC does not recommend use of surgical face masks or N95 masks, as these critical medical supplies should be reserved for health care workers and other first responders.
For more information about cloth face coverings and instructions for making your own, visit the CDC’s website.
When to See a Doctor
While coronavirus is serious, most patients experience only mild illness. Symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty breathing.
If you are not feeling well and have traveled outside of the U.S. in the last 21 days or have been in close contact with anyone who has traveled outside of the U.S. in the last 14 days, call your doctor before seeking care. If you don’t have a primary care physician, you may contact Dr. Robert Pepper of Morgan Physician Services at 706-438-1275.
Your doctor will work with the Georgia Department of Public Health and the CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How is MMC performing testing for COVID-19?
MMC is following CDC recommendations and criteria for COVID-19 testing. In accordance with these guidelines, we continue to encourage anyone concerned about their symptoms to call ahead before visiting their physician or the hospital.
Q: How many COVID-19 tests do you have?
We are working with state and local health officials to maintain our testing supply during the coronavirus outbreak. All health care providers are being asked to follow the CDC criteria for determining when to administer a test.
Q: Are you currently treating COVID-19 patients?
MMC is committed to protecting the privacy of our patients and cannot provide specific details regarding any individual patient in our care. As this virus continues to spread, we are fully prepared to respond to COVID-19 cases. We remain in regular contact with public health officials as we work together to respond to this evolving public health emergency.
Q: Is MMC prepared to treat COVID-19 patients who require hospitalization?
Yes. Our new hospital is equipped to treat a wide variety of conditions and we are accustomed to working closely with larger hospitals in the region to facilitate the transfer of patients who need a higher level of care.
Q: What is your current supply of PPE? Are you running low and/or are you trying to procure more PPE?
Our hospital maintains highly trained infection control teams and specialized equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE). We are working to optimize our supply of PPE as much as possible, in accordance with CDC guidelines, in case we face an influx of COVID-19 cases.
Additional Resources
For information about handwashing, see CDC’s Handwashing website.
For information specific to healthcare, see CDC’s Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings.
For travel updates and information, see CDC’s specific travel guidelines or the U.S. Department of State’s travel advisories.
For up-to-date information about coronavirus in Georgia, see Georgia Department of Public Health’s website or contact DPH at 866-PUB-HLTH.
Media Inquiries
The office of Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia Department of Public Health are working with the Georgia Hospital Association to respond to media inquiries regarding COVID-19. Members of the media are encouraged to contact GHA Vice President Anna Adams at 706-512-2211.