The Stonewall Memorial Hospital District, the parent company of clinics in Spur and Jayton and the hospital in Aspermont, is raising awareness of the Covid-19 Delta variant in this area, and communicating their protocols as precautions.
SMHD made the following Facebook post on Monday: “In the past few weeks there has been an increase in Covid cases in the surrounding counties, with the Delta Strain officially active in Taylor and surrounding counties, according to Hendrick Medical Center.”
The hospital district then posted that there were two active cases of the virus in Dickens County, two in Kent County and two in Stonewall County.
According to Jan Harris with the SMHD clinics, “Abilene went from one of their lowest levels of cases this year to one of their highest levels in 10 days.”
“It moves very quickly,” Harris said. “Abilene has it, and it’s probably only a matter of time before Lubbock gets it.”
Harris said that SMHD has always maintained rigorous Covid-19 protocols.
“The clinics have always operated with an abundance of caution,” she said, and reminded that there are no walk-ins at the clinics; everyone must make an appointment.
Clinics have put protocols in place to aid in prevention. Anyone entering the clinic must be masked, and have their temperatures checked; and all seating in the waiting room at the clinics is socially distanced.
On Monday the nationwide Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced guidance for vaccinated individuals who will be eligible for a Covid-19 booster shot to include those who have:
• Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
• Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection
• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response
SMHD offers the Moderna vaccine (a two-shot protocol), and anyone over the age of 18 can call and get an appointment to get vaccinated. SMHD also does Covid-19 testing with an appointment. According to Harris, anyone of any age can call and get an appointment for a Covid test.
“We have been having three or four appointments a week for Covid tests,” Harris said. “Some employers require a test on employees if they have been out sick to make sure that they are free of Covid before they come back to work. Some school systems require the same of students. We’ve been doing those tests.”
Harris said that SMHD does not vaccinate 12- to 17-year olds because only the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for that age group, and the hospital has only Moderna vaccines.
The closest locations to get a Pfizer vaccination are Colleyville Drug Store, Crosbyton; and CVS Pharmacy, Snyder. Please call these pharmacies for appointments and information. Each has limited supplies and schedule vaccination clinics based upon supply and demand.
At the Stonewall Living Center, the nursing home in Aspermont, director Nathan Smith said that there is a new kiosk for all visitors to check in. “Temperatures are checked, plus there’s a series of questions asked about exposure and symptoms,” he said. “Everyone that comes into the center must be masked, until they get to their resident’s area. If the resident gives them permission to unmask, they can.”
Smith added that most of Stonewall’s residents are vaccinated, and a growing number of their staff as well. He said that with the increase in cases and information on the Delta variant, there’s been an increase in interest in getting vaccinated by his staff.
“I think more people are feeling safe about the vaccines now that they have been out there for awhile, and few people have had serious side effects, and more people are starting to know people who have had Covid, and now they want to get vaccinated.”
In closing, Harris said, “We just ask people to use common sense. If you’re going to be inside somewhere with a large group of people you don’t know, wear a mask. If you’re going to be around someone that you don’t know where they’ve been, don’t get too close. Even if you’ve been fully vaccinated, don’t take any unnecessary chances.”
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.
