SALISBURY, N.C. — Anyone who goes on a Salisbury Veterans Affair Health Care Systems property will be screened for the novel coronavirus starting Monday, officials said.
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Salisbury VA HCS said it is committed to protecting staff members and patients and limiting the spread of the virus.
“I agree with it because there is so many people in and out over there, and I’ve got to go a week from today and it don’t hurt my feelings at all,” veteran David Henderson said.
Officials recommend people allow extra time to make sure they aren’t late to their appointments.
“Why not take time to screen everybody here and make sure they are fine?” VFW member Morris Lee Mullins said.
It also said all staff and veterans will enter and exit the property at the Hedrick entrance from Brenner Avenue. Channel 9′s Tina Terry noticed the hospital put up a large sign, directing all traffic through this entrance.
“I’m not sure,” veteran Richard Young said. “I don’t think that many people have got it yet. It pays to be ready though, I guess.”
Channel 9 has learned that once people are on the property, they will undergo a coronavirus screening, which means staff will ask them questions about their health and if they’ve visited certain countries recently.
People who answer “Yes” to those questions will be sent to a triage nurse, who will determine the severity of that situation or if there is no risk at all.
The VA said it should have numbers by the end of the day and be able to say if they ran into any potential cases.
Officials encouraged people to take extra precautions to avoid being exposed to the virus:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Stay home if you are sick or becoming sick.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- If you have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with symptoms, call the VA before going to the facility.
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