Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

 

Coronavirus is a family of viruses, meaning there are several strains of coronavirus. Health care providers have seen coronavirus for years and regularly test for the common strains. When COVID-19 was first detected, it warranted intensive surveillance by the CDC because it was a novel strain, meaning it was a strain that had not been seen before.

Viruses change through mutation and new variants of a virus can occur. Some variants allow the virus to spread more easily. There are now several variants of the COVID-19 virus, including the delta variant, which has become the dominant strain of the virus in the United States. Studies indicate that the delta variant is two to three times more transmissable than the initial strains of COVID-19.

symptoms of covid-19

Symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild symptoms to severe illness and vary by individual. Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus and include one or more of the following:

  • New loss of taste or smell (often an early indicator of COVID-19 infection)
  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

testing 

Maury Regional Health follows CDC guidelines for testing. Patients experiencing symptoms listed above and/or close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 should always call before arriving at any health care location. If you are urgently ill, please inform 911, the ambulance staff and/or emergency department registration staff that you may have COVID-19. To learn more about what to do if you have symptoms, have been exposed to someone with the virus, or have been tested or you are positive for COVID-19, visit our Testing & Isolation page.

Visiting our facilities

Masking is required at all Maury Regional Health facilities. Please mask before entering any of our facilities where you will be screened prior to entry. In addition, Maury Regional Health has revised its visitation policy at Maury Regional Medical Center, Marshall Medical Center and Wayne Medical Center. For more information about current visitation guidelines, click here.

Vaccination against Covid-19

Vaccines are available to help prevent severe illness and death from COVID-19. According to the CDC, vaccines are effective against severe disease and deaths from variants of the virus, including the delta variant. You are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or two weeks after a single dose of the Janssen vaccine.

The FDA and CDC have authorized the use of an additional dose of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines for those who are fully vaccinated and are immunocompromised, such as solid organ transplant recipients or those who are diagnosed with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise.

In addition, the CDC has issued recommendations regarding a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for certain individuals who received the second dose at least six months prior. 

Learn more about criteria for third dose and boosters here.

Maury Regional Health offers COVID-19 vaccination at no charge. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccination opportunities here.

joint statement from 10 middle tennessee health care leaders

Maury Regional Health joins health care leaders across Middle Tennessee in urging COVID-19 vaccination to protect yourself, your loved ones and the community. Read the joint letter shared on August 20 with the community from 10 Middle Tennessee health systems. 

additional links

COVID-19 Information Sheets (English & Español)

Protecting Against COVID-19

Medical Records & Bill Payment

How You Can Help

Individuals are encouraged to depend upon the CDC as the trusted source of information if they have any questions.

Tennessee COVID-19 INFORMATION Line

The Tennessee Department of Health maintains an information line for community members who have questions about COVID-19, including those concerned about symptoms and treatment. Calls are answered by health care professionals who can address questions about COVID-19, including symptoms and self-monitoring recommendations, and direct patients to an appropriate location for care, if needed. Those who need information related to COVID-19 are encouraged to call their primary care provider or:

Tennessee Coronavirus Public Information Line

1.877.857.2945

 

Updated 9/24/21