MVRH At The Ready For Possibility Of Local COVID-19 Cases

By BOBBIE GREEN

Moapa Valley Progress

Mesa View Regional Hospital (MVRH) has been in a state of “Awareness Ready” during the international COVID-19 health crisis. According to MVRH spokesman Rob Fuller, that state enables the institution to quickly implement its emergency preparedness plan when and if needed.

MVRH is equipped with an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and trained ICU staff. They have ventilators and isolation rooms on site and at the ready. Currently there is no shortage of protective equipment for staff and there are patient beds available.

As of last week, there were no confirmed cases of the COVID-19 reported in the Mesquite/Moapa Valley area. But the disease is having an affect nearby. The Southern Nevada Health District reported a total of 126 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in urban Clark County as of the end of last week. The Southwest Utah Health Department has confirmed two case, as of Saturday night, within its five county areas of Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane and Washington. Both of these were reported as travel related and no person-to-person spread has yet been detected in southwest Utah.

Testing for local residents is available at their doctor’s office if they think you may have been exposed to the virus. But if the patient is showing symptoms of shortness of breath or a fever, he/she can be screened at the MVRH emergency room.

Patients with respiratory symptoms, fever and other risk factors that have called ahead are met at their vehicle with a mask and have an option to wait in their car. Not all patients experiencing respiratory symptoms get the COVID-19 test. Medical staff will first determine, by a quick test, if a patient has an influenza virus. If not then the COVID-19 test will be given.

Cleaning and sanitizing of waiting area surfaces at MVRH has been escalated during this time and occurs continually throughout the day. Patients waiting in the lobby are directed to wait with more than 6 feet distance between one another.

All area clinics and Quick Cares are open at their regular hours. For Mesa View Main Clinic at 1301 Bertha Howe Avenue suite #1 in Mesquite, that is Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. The Quick Care in Mesquite located at 450 Hillside Drive Bldg. B #104 is open Monday through Friday 7:00am to 7:00pm and Saturdays 9:00am to 2:00pm. The Quick Care in Logandale at 1925 Whipple Ave, Suite 30 is open Monday through Friday 7:00am to 5:50pm.

Mesa View Hospital sends regular updates on the COVID-19 disease that are posted on the City of Mesquite website. You can also get more information about the disease at www.CDC.gov.