Johnson County EOC Holds Briefing on COVID-19 Preparations

On Friday afternoon, the Johnson County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Johnson County Public Health, and the Johnson County Healthcare Center held a telephone conference with local media to discuss the current situation and announce preparations for COVID-19 in the community.

Currently, according to Hospital CEO Sean McCallister, there have been five coronavirus tests sent in for testing, two of which have come back negative with three still pending.

As of the conference Friday, no one has tested positive in the county for coronavirus.

Dr. Mark Schueler said the small supply of test kits has limited the number of tests performed so far, and he explains how they are handling the issue.

The healthcare center has also been testing for influenza, which has a number of similar symptoms.

The Catholic Rec Hall has been designated as an alternate site for hospital beds for patients that need hospitalization but aren’t as sick as other patients, and the street area in front of the Rec Hall has been designated for a mobile screening center for symptoms for community members if either scenario becomes necessary.

Dr. Schueler said there have been some reports that the antimalarial drug Chloroquine has shown to be helpful in fighting coronavirus, and there is a good supply in the community.

That may become something healthcare professionals here may look at in the future if necessary.

Dr. Dozier Tabb was introduced as the liaison between Dr. Schueler and the EOC during this crisis.