Page 14 - Aug 2020 Citrus

14 • AUGUST 2020 - Senior Voice of Citrus County Health Connections
14 • AUGUST 2020 - Senior Voice of Citrus County

CMH Seeks Convalescent CHA NGE S TO C OV ID-19

Plasma for COVID-19 Patients T E S T ING IN CIT R US C OUNT Y

Plasma Donations from Recovered COVID-19 The Florida Department immediate. It generally takes
Individuals Can Help Critically Ill Patients of Health in Citrus County approximately 7 to 10 days

Citrus Memorial Hospital treatment using convalescent (DOH-Citrus) will no longer to receive laboratory results.

is part of a national study plasma. After someone is require appointments for The health department will
to determine if plasma from infected with a virus like its drive-thru COVID-19 call you with your results
convalescent, or recovered, COVID-19 and recovers, their testing at the Citrus Springs whether the result is negative
COVID-19 patients may blood contains antibodies that Community Center, 1570 W. or positive. In the meantime,
benefit individuals currently their immune system produced Citrus Springs Blvd. persons who were ill at the
hospitalized with severe or to help them fight off the virus. Testing is offered at no cost to time they took the test should
life-threatening cases of the By infusing this plasma into adults and children over 12, self-isolate until the diagnosis
virus. As part of the effort, the patients who are facing severe with or without symptoms; is known. All residents,
hospital is seeking eligible cases of COVID-19, their however, it will be limited including those who are
volunteers to donate plasma to immune system might more to the first 150 individuals. asymptomatic, are reminded
help current patients in need. effectively be able to fight the Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. to wear face coverings while

virus. Recent examples of this followed by testing at 8 a.m. around other people in public.
“We have been part of this approach have occurred during
important study since mid-May outbreaks of coronaviruses Please do not arrive earlier There are also additional
and have seen improvement in like SARS-1, and Middle than 7:30 a.m. If more than testing sites in Citrus County:
patient symptoms and ability East Respiratory Syndrome one person is being tested, we • Langley Health Services at
to get them off the ventilator so (MERS), but additional clinical ask that they sit in the back 151 E. Highland Blvd. Suite
that they can breathe on their data – and more plasma seat near the driver’s side 151. Staff can be contacted
own” said Citrus Memorial’s donations – are needed to window. at 352-419-5760.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. determine efficacy in treating DOH-Citrus’ viral tests
Raylene Platel. “Now, as we COVID-19. check samples from your • Quick Care Med: Schedule

begin to see a rise in cases in respiratory system with an a telemedicine appointment
our community, we are asking The success of the study oral swab to tell you if you by visiting https://www.
for help to spread awareness hinges on the continued currently have an infection. If quickcaremed.com/
about plasma donation that will collection of plasma from you test positive, you will telemedicine/. Staff can be
help current patients in need.” recovered COVID-19 be contacted by DOH-Citrus contacted at 844-797-8425.
patients. People who tested and provided instructions. For more information about
To date, there is no proven positive for COVID-19 and
therapy for individuals who are have since tested negative Antibody tests are not DOH-Citrus, visit www.
available at DOH-Citrus
diagnosed with COVID-19, can help by donating plasma currently. CitrusCountyHealth.org or
but there is a long history through LifeSouth. follow us on Twitter at @

of successful viral infection Test results are not FLHealthCitrus.

NATURE COAST easily done and because we have face masks. now. I have a lot of issues going

continued from page 12 the separate sick clinic, regular A third-generation physician and on with my body,” said Eugene
patients shouldn’t hesitate to M., Nature Coast Health Care
offers telemedicine and a night come in. Citrus County native, Dr. Savage patient. “Dr. Savage made me
and weekend call system for had a vision for a primary care feel at ease; he’s been doing a
patients who are unable to be seen “Telemedicine is a very user- practice that would create a better fantastic job helping me. I feel so
in person. friendly platform,” he added. “We patient experience. much better. He does not rush you
send a text or email with the link
“Our recent move was perfect to the video visit. Patients can use “We do more for patients than a out of there, he takes his time to
timing for our patients and for their phone or computer. This is a typical primary care office does,” listen. It’s an incredible office; the
doctors do everything for you.”
dealing with COVID-19,” said great option for those who aren’t he said. “We feel it gives us the
Dr. Savage. able to come in.” best ability to improve patients’ Visit https://
lives and make them happier and
“Keeping our patients safe is a Nature Coast Health Care also healthier.” naturecoasthealthcare.com/, call
major focus for us. In our new requires staff and patients to wear 352-436-4328, or email info@
facility, social distancing is “I’ve seen Dr. Savage for a while naturecoastprimarycare.com.