March 28, 2024

Hospital leader says tests are like a snapshot, social distancing is still urged

GREENFIELD — As of last Friday, 1 in 26 Iowans had been tested for COVID-19. One day prior, Governor Kim Reynolds released in her daily press conference a widening of testing across the state so those who have not yet been eligible to be tested may now be tested.

While all these things show that testing has been greatly enhanced over the last several weeks in Iowa, Adair County Health System Vice President/CEO Marcia Hendricks cautions that a COVID-19 test doesn't tell a patient's entire story. She does, however, still encourage people get tested.

"It's great that the testing is available but people need to remember it's sort of a snapshot in time rather than a video in time. You could be negative today, go to the Memorial Day picnic and be positive in two weeks," Hendricks said. "It shows us where the prevalence in Iowa is but it doesn't ensure that if you're negative today you're not going to be positive tomorrow."

Hendricks said that Iowa has and will continue to reopen businesses and other attractions, but the main way to combat community spread is still to social distance.

According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, general social distancing guidelines include keeping a 6 feet distance from others, covering sneezes and coughs with the inside of your elbow and wearing a face covering when possible.

"I think we all understand why things are opening back up but it's really not a message to say that COVID-19 isn't still there," Hendricks said. "From a hospital perspective, that's our biggest concern, that it gives people that feeling that this is over with. We just want people, especially those who are immune compromised or at-risk, to continue to be very, very careful."

If residents need the services of Adair County Health System, Hendricks still encourages them to call ahead to 641-743-6189 in Greenfield or 515-523-2513 for the Stuart clinic to find out how to proceed.

At the hospital in Greenfield, all who arrive are screened for a fever and potential exposure to COVID-19. Those who "screen positive" or show symptoms synonymous with the novel coronavirus are sent to a sick clinic that has been established east of the specialty clinic and emergency room entrances on the north side of the hospital.

"That's why we're asking folks to call the main hospital number if they feel sick in any way instead of just coming to urgent care. They'll be triaged over the phone and sent to the appropriate area," Hendricks said. "That just helps keep that area designated for that population and helps protect the other folks who are coming in for their routine visits."