Health officials offer Mississippians tips on COVID-19 testing, results

(The following is a press release from the Mississippi State Medical Association.)

JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi State Medical Association (MSMA) and Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) are advising Mississippians who have been tested for COVID-19 to self-quarantine until they receive test results. With almost 600 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and eight COVID-19 related deaths, physicians and public health leaders are stressing the importance of social distancing, washing hands, and preserving critical medical supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPE).

State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs, MD emphasized that “a decision to test is a decision to isolate until test results come back.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends people stay home if they think they might have COVID-19 except to get medical care. Mississippians who may have COVID-19 should also call a doctor before visiting a clinic or emergency room to avoid spreading the disease to others.

“Mississippi’s physicians and healthcare professionals are doing everything they can to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but we need help from the community to flatten the curve on this disease,” said Claude Brunson, MD, executive director of MSMA. “Taking simple steps like staying home until a test confirms you are negative for COVID-19 will help protect others and preserve the critical medical supplies we need to address this growing pandemic.”

For more information about the impact of COVID-19 in Mississippi is available on the MSDH website at www.msdh.ms.gov. MSMA continues to provide updated information, resources, and guidance about COVID-19 for physicians at www.msmaonline.com/covid-19 and on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.