On May 15th, Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) announced that local fire departments in Texas are partnering with local public health authorities to provide testing in nursing homes throughout the state. The next day, Marsha Hardy, San Saba County Emergency Management Coordinator, received notification of the first COVID-19 case in a San Saba nursing home.
During our phone conversation on Monday, May 18th, Ms. Hardy reported to me she was notified Saturday morning that an employee at San Saba Nursing and Rehabilitation had tested positive for COVID-19, had self-quarantined, and would be able to return to work after two negative test results which show they have recovered. According to the City of San Saba website, the Regional Health Department will be coming to the nursing home this week to test all employees and residents.
Ms. Hardy stated that San Saba has had a total of 18 tests administered at Mobile Testing Sites, and all tests were negative. She stated there is no additional Mobile Testing scheduled, but she will be requesting one in view of San Saba having its first positive case.
Next, I called City Manager, Mr.Stan Weik, to see if he had any new recommendations since San Saba now has their first confirmed case of COVID-19. “Nothing has changed. We have the same recommendations and have been steadfastly telling everyone to keep your distance. Keep practicing social distancing, wear a face mask in public, and wash your hands,” he said. Mr. Weik confirmed that we still have an 11:00 p.m. curfew and are to be following government guidelines put out by the CDC and other government entities.
Mr. Weik noted different kinds of businesses have different guidelines (ie: churches, restaurants, gyms, hair salons, etc.), and the City has handdelivered an outline of the rules and guidelines to the businesses in town.
Since San Saba County has less than five confirmed cases, and because the County Judge signed the attestation of compliance form, our businesses are able to open up to 50% occupancy. I asked Mr. Weik what would happen if we go over five cases. He informed me, “If we do go over five confirmed cases, there is a plan to revert back to the 25% occupancy for businesses.”
Prior to notification of the positive test result, the nursing home already had a plan in place for positive COVID-19 cases, according to Mr. Weik. He communicated to me that everyone at the nursing home who has been in contact with that employee has been moved to a separate part of the facility. All employees and residents now have their temperature checked every four hours. He said the state will come in to do tracing to find out where the virus was contracted and who may have been exposed.
Mr. Weik passed on to me in our phone conversation that he is in a weekly telephone conference with the City Mayor, County Judge, pharmacist, superintendent of the San Saba schools, head of the nursing home, head of the EMS, Brother Sam of the Ministerial Alliance, Dr. Whiting and the Emergency Management Coordinator to make sure everyone is informed.
Mr. Weik is also involved in the weekly teleconference with Governor Abbott, the County Judges, and City Mayors. He emphasized these teleconferences are not just for announcements; they are set up for dialog so those on the call can ask questions.
Finally, I called Everett’s Pharmacy and spoke to Joe DeBons, pharmacist. I learned there are two kinds of tests: active test and antibody test. Mr. DeBons explained, “Everett’s Pharmacy has the antibody test which will show if you have had the virus before. It tests two antibodies: IGG and IGM. The IGM will show if you have had COVID-19 recently, in the last month. The IGG is more long term; it will show if you had the virus months ago.”
Mr. DeBons said this test is a self-administered, finger prick test, and you have the results within 10 minutes. The pharmacy cannot administer the test for you, but they do give you a five-page Reference Guide. The Reference Guide has one page of instructions and four pages that explain the test and clinical labs.
Mr. DeBons noted the cost of the test is $50, and you do not need a prescription. He stated the pharmacy cannot electronically bill your insurance company. He did say, however, most insurances will cover the cost of the test if you submit receipts/proof of purchase.
According to the CDC website: “People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19: cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell. Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.”
Important Note:
Remember what City Manager Weik emphatically encouraged us to practice: “Keep your distance. Practice social distancing, wear a face mask in public, and wash your hands.”