Hospital is designated for virus response

BIG STONE GAP — Lonesome Pine Hospital has been designated the regional COVID-19 virus response hospital for Wise County.

The news came in a press release from Ballad Health Tuesday evening. The new designation was referred to as an “abundance of caution, in anticipation of potential community need.”

The change in status resulted from a positive case of COVID-19 involving a speech therapist who entered the Heritage Hall nursing home in Big Stone Gap, according to the release.

Designating Lonesome Pine as the county’s COVID-19 treatment and quarantine facility “will ensure acute care patients who can be treated in a community hospital will be served in a facility focused on their needs, while other patients with health care needs not related to COVID-19 will be treated at Norton Community Hospital,” it states.

While the emergency department will remain open, all other services including surgery, obstetric services and acute care have been relocated to Norton Community Hospital. According to the press release, the change took place immediately. Non-emergent surgeries have already been cancelled across Ballad facilities.

Mark Leonard, Ballad vice president and chief executive for Wise and Dickenson counties, stated: “Our teams at Lonesome Pine and Norton Community Hospital are committed to caring for our neighbors here in Wise County. But being a part of the Ballad Health network give us the ability to rely on three high quality nationally recognized referral facilities for support in Kingsport, Johnson City and Bristol. Our community is blessed to have such resources at our disposal.”

Anyone who is experiencing symptoms and believes they may have been exposed to COVID-19 is advised to call 833/822-5523.

According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, primary symptoms can appear two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough and shortness of breath.

Also, the CDC advises people to watch for “emergency warning signs” that include trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse and bluish lips or face.

COVID-19 spreads primarily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

PREVIOUS CASES

As of March 23, Virginia health department officials had confirmed three cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus in the coalfield region.

Saturday, the LENOWISCO Health District confirmed that a man and woman in their 50s had tested positive for the virus in Lee County.

“The second case is a household contact of the first,” according to a press release. “They have had no contacts with community since prior to the onset of symptoms in the first case, and have maintained strict isolation, following public health guidance, since symptom onset. No at-risk community contacts have occurred.”

Later Saturday, the health department reported that an investigation was underway of a person from the Richmond area who had spent time in the Cumberland Plateau Health District, which serves Dickenson, Russell, Tazewell and Buchanan counties.

“To protect privacy, VDH does not disclose details of individual cases or investigations,” said Dr. Sue Cantrell, director of the Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO health districts.

Public health staff are investigating any potential exposures, identifying potential contacts, assessing their risk of exposure and recommending appropriate public health and medical measures, as needed, she said.

Cantrell advises residents to avoid close contact, keeping at least six feet away from others, wash hands with soap and water “well and often” and disinfect surfaces frequently.

People should avoid social gatherings of more than 10 individuals. If you are 65 years or older, or if you have a serious chronic medical condition (e.g., heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, immune compromise, at any age), you should stay at home.

Most patients with COVID-19 have mild to moderate symptoms. However, in a small proportion of patients, COVID-19 can lead to more severe illness, including death, particularly among those who are older or those who have chronic medical conditions.

INFORMATION HOTLINES

The state health department says regional health districts have established public call centers to answer questions and provide information.

Locally, those include:

• LENOWISCO Health District: Web, vdh.virginia.gov/lenowisco; phone: Wise County/Norton, 328-8000; Lee County, 346-2011; Scott County, 386-1312.

For general information on COVID-19 and ways to protect yourself and those you love, visit http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/surveillance-and-investigation/novel-coronavirus.