BEAUMONT, Texas —
Officials say you may or may not speak with a representative from your county due to the the fluctuation of high volume phone calls.
"You cannot go to the public health department to be tested," said Mayor Becky Ames. When citizens call the hotline number, they will be given instructions regarding where to go to be tested.
Mayor Ames continued saying that the tests are only at hospitals. The Beaumont Health Department is considered an authority, not a hospital.
Symptoms related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) may show up 2-14 days after exposure.
“People 65 and older, and/or people with medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, or weakened immune systems are at a higher risk for getting sick from coronavirus,” according to a Jefferson County press release.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing fever, cough, and shortness of breath, or if you feel you may have been exposed to coronavirus, officials recommend calling the medical screening hotline number (409) 550-2536.
Once you call the hotline, you will be screened by a health official.
"Do not show up without a number. If you do not have a number, you will not be screened," Judge Branick said.
If you meet the criteria to be tested for the coronavirus, you will receive a number. The number verifies that a person has been pre-screened for the coronavirus test.
After testing, officials ask that citizens remain isolated at home until he or she receives further guidance from the health department.
Officials are asking citizens to refrain from coming to the emergency room unless a person is in respiratory distress or too sick to be taken to one of the testing sites.
County judges, mayors and health officials are working together to keep Southeast Texas “prepared, not panicked" they said during the Thursday news conference.
Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick, Orange County Judge John Gothia, Hardin County Judge Wayne McDaniel, Jasper County Judge Mark Allen, and Jefferson County Mayors all attended.
County judges in Southeast Texas are asking citizens to continue following these guidelines:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Officials are also asking citizens to stay informed by checking the dshs.texas.gov daily for updates and to help stop rumors.
Jefferson County full press release..
County Judges Branick, Gothia, McDaniel Weeks and Allen are working together to keep their counties "Prepared, not Panicked". They have teamed up to dedicate one hotline number for medical screenings in Jefferson, Orange, Hardin and Jasper Counties.
(HOTLINE 409-550-2536)
During this national Emergency these judges are tasked with bringing medical resources to their citizens and providing necessary care to those in need. Medical resources are scarce but are ramping up.
The County judges are working with their city and county officials, emergency management teams and health providers to proactively combat this new virus that has changed our way of life. We hope that by working together we will lessen the number of citizens impacted by COVID-19.
We are asking for the assistance of our citizens, please stay informed by checking dshs.texas.gov for daily updates. This is a fluid pandemic and information changes daily.
Help us stop rumors that create fear and panic.
We are committed to the health of this community and are monitoring the rapidly changing events related to Coronavirus (COVID-19). We will continue to provide information to the public during this pandemic.
Symptoms of COVID-19 may show up 2-14 days after exposure. People 65 and older, and/or people with medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, or weakened immune systems, are at a higher risk for getting sick from COVID-19.
If you are experiencing fever, cough, and shortness of breath, or if you feel you might have been exposed to COVID-19, please call 409-550-2536 and a nurse will ask you questions regarding your symptoms.
If you meet the criteria for testing after you have been screened, you will be routed to a location for further screening and testing.
We are asking that you remain isolated at home until you have the results of your test and further guidance by the health department.
We ask that you not present to the Emergency Room unless you are in respiratory distress or too sick to be triaged to one of the testing sites.
We ask that you continue to follow these guidelines:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
