Mercy Opens Flu Clinics in Boardman, Warren

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Residents experiencing flu-like symptoms can seek treatment at two new flu clinics, Mercy Health-Youngstown announced Tuesday.

The health-care system established the clinics at Eisenhower Primary Care at 7341 Eisenhower Drive in Boardman and Parkman Primary Care, 1455 Parkman Road NW in Warren.

The clinics are intended to “evaluate and treat symptomatic patients and are not for people without any symptoms,” according to a statement.

“Mercy Health Youngstown is committed to the safety and security of our associates, patients, residents and communities, all of which is why we continue to take COVID-19 seriously,” the release states. “Please note that these sites are for patients experiencing flu-like symptoms only. Due to a limitation of testing availability at our third-party lab there will be zero ability to do COVID-19 testing at this time.”

Flu-like symptoms include coughing, sneezing, body aches and headaches. Patients experiencing these symptoms will be directed to the flu clinics rather than being seen at a primary care office.

The clinics are open to any patient, not just existing Mercy Health patients. Before visiting, patients should call 855 884 7150 for triage over the phone.

During a press conference Friday, Dr. James Kravec, chief clinical officer for Mercy Health-Youngstown, made the initial announcement that these clinics would be opening. The point of the clinics, he said, was to provide more access for care.

Residents who are concerned about symptoms should first call their physician for guidance, he said.

“The emergency rooms are always busy, but we need to keep those for patients who need to be in the emergency room,” he said at the conference. “Labs are getting certified through the government for testing. And that is continuing to evolve.”

Mercy continues to monitor updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization to slow the spread of COVID-19, the release states. The health system encourages residents to continue to practice good hygiene, including frequent hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes.

“The influx of new, daily developments and information regarding this virus continues to drive local leadership decisions to further prevent and align with Federal, State and Local health department protocols as well as those being implemented across the Bon Secours Mercy Health ministry,” the release says.

Pictured: Mercy Health Eisenhower Primary care is one of two flu clinics opened by the health system. The second is Parkman Primary Care in Warren.

Copyright 2020 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.