JCHC Gives Media Briefing on Coronavirus Status

The Johnson County Healthcare Center offered a briefing by telephone for the local media Tuesday morning to update them on the situation at the facility concerning COVID-19.

Officials at the briefing were CEO Sean McCallister, County Public Health Officer Dr. Mark Schueler; Dr. Ryan Ludwig, Hospital Chief of Staff and Deputy Public Health Officer; Prevention Specialist Kristina Duarte, and Public Information Officer Marcy Schueler.

McCallister opened the briefing, saying there were 28 reported Coronavirus cases in the state as of the meeting, with none so far in Johnson County.

Testing has been done on 5 patients and they have all tested negative for the disease.

Dr. Schueler said he believes there are Coronavirus cases in the community, even though none have shown up in testing so far.

The briefing touched on telehealth services being implemented, supplies the facility is acquiring, and asking for donations of PPEs or Personal Protective Equipment such as masks, gowns, and surgical gloves community members may have.

They also reported their Patient Surge Plan, which will cover how they will deal with a possible inpatient surge, an alternate care site, and a drive-through screening and evaluation plan and site will be completed this week.