CULLMAN - Cullman Regional Medical Center and local leaders are coming together to encourage local community members to stop the spread of COVID-19 by following 3 simple steps:
Wash your hands, frequently;
Maintain 6-foot distance when out;
Wear a mask when you can’t maintain a 6-foot distance from others.
“Cullman Regional continues to see an increase not only in the number of community members that need to be tested, but also in the number of community members hospitalized due to COVID-19,” Cullman Regional CEO James Clements said. “No one wants to shut down again, but we need the community’s help to help stop the spread.”
As of Thursday, July 2, Cullman Regional reports 9 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, all being treated for illness due to COVID-19. These patients range from age 41 to over 85. The majority of patients has underlying health issues including but not limited to: pneumonia, COPD, emphysema, heart failure (CHF), diabetes and lung cancer. Some of the patients are aware of their underlying health issues, and others are finding out after admission.
“We’re not asking our community to not live, but we’re asking them to live differently,” Clements said. “We understand and agree that people need community interaction with friends and loved ones and businesses need to continue operating. However, you can interact 6-feet apart or with a mask on. And if you’re sick or have come into contact with anyone with a known positive COVID-19 test, stay home.”
“Dr. Scott Harris, Alabama Department of Public Health emphasized during a discussion with hospitals across the State of Alabama that the state increase is not due to increased testing,” Cullman Regional Chief Medical Officer Dr. William Smith said. “According to Dr. Harris, COVID-19 positive cases has increased by 30% in the state of Alabama; however, the state has only seen an 8% increase in testing during this same period.”
Cullman Regional is partnering with Congressman Robert Aderholt, State Senator Garlan Gudger and other community leaders to encourage community members to practice these three simple steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community.
“We have learned a lot since the start of this pandemic. One of the biggest lessons we learned is that shutting down the economy is not the answer. A vaccine will come later this year, and I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to sit in the house waiting until then. So, it’s going to take each of practicing social distancing, washing our hands and wearing a mask when we go to crowded areas to get things back to normal sooner rather than later," Aderholt said.
"The community has to work together to stop the spread of this virus. The changes within our society, specifically how we interact socially with one another, are very different for all of us. But if we work as a team and everyone plays their role in achieving a higher standard, together, we can beat this virus and keep all of us safe. I urge everyone, please do your part by washing or sanitizing your hands, wearing masks in public and greeting one another with fist bumps instead of shaking hands in order to stop the spread," Gudger said.
See complete story in the Northwest Alabamian.
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