By Ray King
A total of 60 people from Southeast Arkansas were screened for COVID-19 at a drive-thru clinic conducted at McGehee Monday by the University of Arkansas for Medical Services.
According to a story in the McGehee Dermott Times News, 27 people were swabbed and were given information on the virus and instructions to quarantine at home for 14 days or until the test results were known. Those tests will be performed at the UAMS lab and could take up to 14 days.
Terry Amstrutz, the CEO of the McGehee Hospital told the newspaper that the hospital and McGehee Family Clinic have each performed 17 swabs with one positive case and one not returned, He said the hospital has had several presumptive positive cases but none confirmed so far.
The newspaper reported that despite the low number of cases locally, the McGehee Hospital remains focused on the safety of patients and staff and one entering is screened outside. Masks are provided for both outpatients entering the hospital as well as patients in the facility. No visiting is allowed at the hospital.
