Still no positive cases in county

At press time Wednesday, Wise County still had no known cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

During a Tuesday morning press briefing, Ballad Health Chief Executive Officer Alan Levine dispelled speculation that positive cases had been detected at Lonesome Pine Hospital. Levine stated that there were “a couple of patients (at LPH) but both tested negative.”

Wednesday afternoon, Ballad sent out a press release stating that it will be among the nation’s first healthcare systems to deploy rapid testing for COVID-19. The release states, “Instead of test results for COVID-19 taking five to seven days, this new rapid molecular test, developed by diagnostics company Cepheid, will provide patients in the Appalachian Highlands with test results in five to seven hours.”

According to the release, Ballad is prioritizing in-patients needing testing; patients with severe symptoms presenting in Ballad Health emergency departments; and Ballad Health team members experiencing symptoms and exposed to COVID-19.

Members of the community who suspect they may be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should use the screening process established by Ballad Health and can do so by calling the Ballad Health Nurse Connect line at 833/822-5523 (833-8-BALLAD).