In response to increasing COVID-19 cases, Novant Health reminds community of resources available to them
Published 11:32 am Monday, August 23, 2021
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WINSTON-SALEM — In the last six weeks, Novant Health has seen a nearly 1,600% increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations. Today, more than 91% of COVID-19 patients in our hospitals are not vaccinated, and the average age of admitted patients is the lowest it has been since the pandemic started. In addition to the surging cases of COVID-19, the emergency departments are seeing higher than usual summer volumes of patients seeking care for other health concerns. In response, Novant Health is reminding the community of COVID-19 resources available to them.
Masking
- The delta variant is significantly more contagious than the original strain of COVID-19, and we urge anyone not yet vaccinated to wear a mask in public settings, including students in classrooms.
- We also encourage all vaccinated individuals to follow updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local guidance to further protect themselves, and others, as the delta variant continues to spread.
Testing
- It’s imperative that our communities seek the care they need, when they need it — in the right place. Our emergency departments are not the appropriate venue to seek a COVID-19 test.
- Novant Health offers COVID-19 tests at primary care and pediatric clinics for existing patients, as well as Novant Health GoHealth Urgent Care clinics for all community members. COVID-19 testing is also readily available at local retail drugstores.
- For anyone seeking a COVID-19 test, please go to NovantHealth.org/
coronavirus for a list of COVID-19 testing locations.
Antibody treatment
- Novant Health has been administering monoclonal antibody treatment to COVID-19 patients who qualify under the emergency use authorization since December 2020. Novant has administered these drugs to over 1,000 patients at infusion centers in Winston-Salem, Charlotte, Salisbury and the coastal market.
- Patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms should speak with their physician about whether they qualify for this treatment.
Vaccination
- Nearly 100 Novant Health clinics are administering vaccines to their patients. Established patients can call their primary care clinic to see if it is offering the vaccine.
- Novant Health still has mass vaccination clinics in Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Salisbury. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit GetVaccinated.org. Walk-ins are also accepted.
- Novant Health is offering third doses for immunocompromised patients in both physician clinics and mass vaccination sites.
