LPH chosen for virus response

BIG STONE GAP — Lonesome Pine Hospital has been designated the regional COVID-19 virus response hospital for Wise County.

The news came in a press release from Ballad Health Tuesday evening. The new designation was referred to as an “abundance of caution, in anticipation of potential community need.”

The change in status resulted from a positive case of COVID-19 involving a speech therapist who entered the Heritage Hall nursing home in Big Stone Gap, according to the release.

Designating Lonesome Pine as the county’s COVID-19 treatment and quarantine facility “will ensure acute care patients who can be treated in a community hospital will be served in a facility focused on their needs, while other patients with health care needs not related to COVID-19 will be treated at Norton Community Hospital,” it states.

While the emergency department will remain open, all other services including surgery, obstetric services and acute care have been relocated to Norton Community Hospital. According to the press release, the change took place immediately. Non-emergent surgeries have already been cancelled across Ballad facilities.

Mark Leonard, Ballad vice president and chief executive for Wise and Dickenson counties, stated: “Our teams at Lonesome Pine and Norton Community Hospital are committed to caring for our neighbors here in Wise County. But being a part of the Ballad Health network give us the ability to rely on three high quality nationally recognized referral facilities for support in Kingsport, Johnson City and Bristol. Our community is blessed to have such resources at our disposal.”

Anyone who is experiencing symptoms and believes they may have been exposed to COVID-19 is advised to call 833/822-5523.

According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, primary symptoms can appear two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough and shortness of breath.

Also, the CDC advises people to watch for “emergency warning signs” that include trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse and bluish lips or face.

COVID-19 spreads primarily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

NURSING FACILITY

The therapist was inside the Heritage Hall nursing home March 19 and had their temperature taken upon entering and leaving the building, according to Heritage Hall public relations specialist Jennifer Eddy. “They didn’t show any signs of illness at that time.”

The therapist was not a staff member and had limited access to the facility.

Eddy explained that the person tested positive for the virus on Monday, March 23. That same day, Heritage Hall alerted residents and family members of the situation and have been monitoring residents and employees for symptoms since then. Eddy confirmed that as of Wednesday afternoon, no resident or staff at the facility has shown any symptoms of COVID-19.

According to Eddy, all personnel have their temperature checked upon entering and exiting the building. This protocol has been in place since March 14. Eddy also stated that visitors were prohibited a few days before implementing the temperature testing.

Eddy stated that all American Healthcare facilities, including Heritage Hall in Big Stone Gap, have been following proper protocol and coordinating with state and local health officials to protect residents and employees.

The letter sent to residents and family members states that the facility has “implemented additional temperature checks and safety protocols above and beyond health department requirements.”

No further details have been released on the therapist or where the person lives.