Health director: If you have mild coronavirus symptoms, call 211 instead of going to the doctor
Austin CannonPolk County’s public health director told reporters Monday that county residents need to call 211 if they have mild symptoms of the novel coronavirus instead of going to the doctor’s office.
During a news conference, Helen Eddy said starting Tuesday at 8 a.m., Polk County residents should call 211 rather than their usual medical provider. The county’s health care providers will have nurses on hand to answer questions and offer “telephone triage.”
“We need the public to utilize 211 and the call center to reduce the strain on our health care system,” she said. “This is an important step that we can take together for the health and safety of the residents of Polk County.”
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The county’s 211 center, a localized version of the statewide 211 system, will close at 5 p.m. daily, so Eddy said residents with symptoms that can’t wait until the next day should call their clinic or doctor.
Later in the news conference, a pair of doctors said area hospitals don’t have enough of the proper equipment to care for an influx of coronavirus patients.
The United Way of Central Iowa in Des Moines will house the expanded 211 center. Call center staff will answer the phone and forward calls to health professionals.
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So far, the state has detected 23 positive COVID-19 cases, including three cases of “community spread,” meaning they aren’t linked to travel.
Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie announced during the news conference that he would amend his emergency declaration to ban gatherings of 50 or more people. Minutes before, President Donald Trump recommended Americans avoiding gatherings of more than 10 people.
“We are facing an unprecedented medical emergency situation,” he said.
Eddy told reporters that anyone with a fever should stay home for at least three days after the last use of fever-reducing medication (like ibuprofen).
She also encouraged residents to help their loved ones with underlying conditions or who are elderly: Go to the store for them and pick up their medication, but drop the items off at their doorstep instead of seeing them in person.
“Do not visit them if you feel sick,” she said.
Disaster recovery fund
The president of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines announced at the news conference that it had activated a disaster recovery fund of more than $200,000. The money will be used to fill needs not being covered by governments or nonprofits.
“The disaster recovery fund provides an opportunity for the public to give with the reassurance their donations will be used to quickly move resources where they’re most needed and to adapt to evolving needs,” President Kristie Knous said.
The foundation’s board of directors committed $100,000 to the fund, as has the United Way of Central Iowa. Other donors include the Polk County Board of Supervisors, the Mid-Iowa Health Foundation, Businesssolver Foundation and Cultivating Compassion: The Dr. Richard Deming Foundation Fund.
Knous said the foundation is learning more about what local, state and federal funding programs might be available for people affected by the coronavirus, so the fund’s grant-making committee will disclose how the money can be accessed at a later time.
After the COVID-19 crisis ends, the remaining money will wait for the next disaster.
Combating loneliness, depression during isolation
Liz Cox, the director of Polk County Health Services, which manages mental health and disability services in the county, said residents will get lonely and, potentially, depressed as they self-isolate to avoid the virus.
“Certainly there is a fair amount of anxiety in our community,” she said.
She cautioned against the use of drugs and alcohol and suggested some alternatives:
- Take a break from the news
- Get outside, maybe to a park
- Talk with friends
- Help your neighbors out
If someone’s mental well-being gets to a crisis level, residents can call Broadlawns Medical Center’s crisis line at (515) 282-5752.
If you’re thinking of going out for St. Patrick’s Day …
“Don’t do it. Stay home,” said Polk County Sheriff Kevin Schneider.
Austin Cannon covers the city of Des Moines for the Register. Reach him at awcannon@registermedia.com or 515-284-8398. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Subscribe today at DesMoinesRegister.com/Deal.