MMH: Coronavirus investigation ongoing for ‘3 or 4’ patients

Dr. Larry Wilson, Chief Medical Officer with Midland Memorial Hospital, answers questions 03/20/2020 during a press conference at the Midland County Annex building. Tim Fischer/Reporter-Telegram Dr. Larry Wilson, Chief Medical Officer with Midland Memorial Hospital, answers questions 03/20/2020 during a press conference at the Midland County Annex building. Tim Fischer/Reporter-Telegram Photo: Tim Fischer/Midland Reporter-Telegram Buy photo Photo: Tim Fischer/Midland Reporter-Telegram Image 1 of / 12 Caption Close MMH: Coronavirus investigation ongoing for ‘3 or 4’ patients 1 / 12 Back to Gallery

“Three or four” people are “persons under investigation” for coronavirus at Midland Memorial Hospital, according to Dr. Larry Wilson, MMH chief medical officer.

Wilson said Friday during an afternoon press conference of Midland’s Unified Command team that the persons under investigation may not have the virus but are behaving like they have it.

“We haven’t found any other explanation yet,” Wilson said. “We’re waiting on the test results on those patients.”

As for the man at Midland Memorial Hospital who tested positive for coronavirus, Wilson said he came to the hospital on March 14, and it took about 72 hours for results of his test to return.

Wilson said Friday he expects results to come back quicker in the future – 24 to 48 hours.

The patient who tested positive – identified previously as a man in his 60s -- had traveled around the United States recently as his profession requires that he travels, Wilson said. One of the states that he traveled to, according to Wilson, was Colorado, which MMH officials had previously said is among the states that patients are being asked about as part of the screening process.

Of the persons under investigation, Wilson said they are predominantly people who would be considered to be “community acquired,” except for one.

Wilson said changes in procedures because of the coronavirus pandemic include the elimination of all elective surgeries. The hospital had decreased visitation to just one guest per patient and will change that to no visitors beginning today -- “unless it’s an absolute imperative that that person be there (and) is a spokesperson for the individual in the hospital.”

Wilson said MMH has “personal protective equipment” from the standpoint of gowns and gloves but there is a shortage of masks. Wilson and Mayor Patrick Payton both made requests to oil companies that might have “industrial strength” masks.

The hospital also is working on the 68-NURSE line, which Wilsons said has been overloaded. Hospital officials are working on a different line for physicians to call.

MISD update

Midland ISD Superintendent Orlando Riddick said Friday the district had served more than 20,000 meals, before Friday. He also said organizations have stepped in to help deliver food on weekends.

He said Gov. Greg Abbott has put forward April 30 as the day when students might return to campuses around the state. Riddick said MISD staff will be prepared if that date is April 6 or April 30, and that on Monday, the district starts its “academic enrichment plan.” Packets will be offered to help with the enrichment process. The core classes -- math, English, social studies and science -- will be emphasized.

Riddick said parents need to put their children on a school day-like routine – the academic, health, exercise and recess. Structure is important for when students eventually return to campus, he said.

City: Don’t worry if your water is going to come on

Mayor Patrick Payton wants residents to know that the toilets will flush, the electricity will come on and trash will be picked up.

“We're working with people and trying to get their bills paid, and I can say this to you, that if you’re worried about your water bill, if you’re worried about those things, just give us a call. OK. And we’re going to be working with you and helping take care of those things that you might need,” Payton said. “That is our greatest concern at the council level and the city level right now.”