RADFORD – Radford Mayor David Horton has been offering Radford residents regular updates on plans and procedures regarding the COVID-19 coronavirus currently affecting people throughout the world.
Through Facebook and other means, Horton has encouraged calm and has been trying to dispel rumors and, at times, misinformation that is circulating in the community.
Individuals can register to be a volunteer at the Southwest Virginia Medical Reserve Corps: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/swvamrc/ If and/or wen localities move forward with Drive Through Screenings, help will be needed and there are many roles that ccan be filled.
“Several places around the nation and worldwide are totally locked down with nothing open and people being told to shelter in place,” Horton stated on Facebook on Tuesday. “Folks have asked if we need to do that in Radford. We are not there as of this moment. The best information that we have is saying that as long as we are not having significant cases in the area and people are not gathering in groups, we don’t have to take that step right now.
That said, this all depends on how we all respond. If people follow the recommendations given and actively engage in social distancing – keeping away from each other by three to six feet – while washing hands, and working hard not to touch our faces, we can avoid a more serious lockdown locally.”
Monday, Horton offered an update on possible testing procedures that couldcme to local communities.
“I wanted to share a couple updates regarding COVID 19… in regard to public health,” Horton stated on Monday.
“After a lengthy conversation with Dr. Noelle Bissell, New River District Health Director, (which covers Radford and the NRV), we have a couple items we would like to share.
At this time there are still no confirmed cases of COVID 19 in the NRV, including Radford.
There is a screening process before tests are administered and all tests so far have come back negative. I know that there had been a rumor that the only reason we did not have any cases was that there were no tests being done and this is not accurate. While we will likely have some cases at some point, we do not have any confirmed yet. Still follow social distancing and do not take chances. That is how we will avoid becoming a hot spot for cases.
There is a New River Health District COVID 19 Hotline you can call with questions or to receive directions. The call center is currently staffed 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. They are looking to expand hours. That number is 540-267-8240.
Our goal is to have a drive through screening which could help determine if additional testing is prudent. We hope to see this happen in the very near future as it can provide good information as to how things are progressing. We need your help to make this happen.
Volunteers will be essential to the effort and you can register to be a volunteer at the Southwest Virginia Medical Reserve Corps: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/swvamrc/ When we do move forward with Drive Through Screenings, your help will be invaluable so please take a minute to consider signing up. There are many roles that could be filled.
We need everyone to form a team effort to keep this under control. No need to panic, but be intentional about your interactions. Try to keep a good distance of 3-6 feet between you and another person. The virus is contact based, so staying apart does make a difference.
Wash your hands a lot. Twice as much as you think you need to.
Don’t touch your face.
Your choices in this matter will either help slow this spread or accelerate it so please be thoughtful,”Horton’s statement concludes.
Meanwhile, the New River Health District offered the following statement on Monday regarding its public health hotline.
“Anyone with questions about COVID-19, including local and statewide conditions, symptoms, who should be tested and how that is done, how to minimize the risk of exposure for yourself and your loved ones and what to do if you think you may be ill, can call the New River Health District public health hotline at 540-267-8240. The hotline is presently staffed Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.”
“Residents should understand that testing for COVID-19 and other illnesses is a specific medical procedure that must be ordered by a medical professional,” said Bissell. “Testing capacity is limited so we want to make sure we use those resources for people with conditions that match the test’s intended use.”
“There are many different respiratory illnesses and they have many different causes,” Dr. Bissell continued. “For someone with respiratory illness, the first test is to determine whether they have the flu. If the flu test is negative, a patient will be tested for a series of other respiratory (non-coronavirus) illnesses. If the first two tests are negative, then a test for coronavirus may be warranted.”
“The vast majority – more than 95 percent – of those with respiratory illnesses are sick for some reason other than coronavirus,” said Dr. Bissell. According to the World Health Organization, among those tested for coronavirus in the U.S., only about five percent are confirmed to be infected with the coronavirus. Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, puts the figure at closer to two percent.
“If you think you are ill, do not go to the hospital emergency room. Call your doctor or the VDH hotline,” said Dr. Bissell. “The hotline is designed to provide effective screening for COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. Those needing additional check-up or testing will receive instructions on how best to proceed.”
In the meantime, seasonal flu is still widespread in Virginia and anyone who has not been vaccinated this season is encouraged to do so. Contact your doctor or call your local health department to make an appointment.
For information on the New River Health District, visit http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/new-river. For information on COVID-19 and ways to protect yourself and those you love, visit http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/surveillance-and-investigation/novel-coronavirus.
Horton encouraged members of the Radford community to help each other during this time.
“We can do this. All can step up to help everyone. Now is not the time for selfish behavior that can endanger others. Enjoy your life in ways that you can in our current normal.
With all that in mind, I wanted to point out that Radford folks are stepping up. Food is being delivered to our kids and families who depend on it. We are checking on our older neighbors and making sure they are ok and have what they need. As a City we have not really had significant push back with large gatherings that we have had to shut down.
Thank you Radford.
Once again, we have not had any cases confirmed in our area, but even when we do it is not a time to panic or stress at a higher level. With the appropriate behaviors during this time we will be okay.
Stay strong, support each other and our local businesses with take out and gift cards where possible, keep a positive outlook and we will get through this together.”
