Mar 15, 2020
Employee Health Services is committed to serving our faculty and staff and will continue to operate with normal business hours. We are taking extra precautions based on recommendations from the CDC and Mississippi State Department of Health regarding COVID-19 and have made the following changes to our appointments.
In an effort to maximize efficiency and the number of patients we can serve, Employee Health Services will operate on an appointment-only basis for urgent care/sick visits. We will not be accepting walk-in patients. It is very important that employees call ahead to schedule an appointment in order to protect other patients and clinic staff as recommended by the Mississippi State Department of Health. If you need to be seen or have a question, please call ahead.
Visits that are not urgent, such as annual exams or physicals, will be scheduled for a later date or at a time that will limit potential exposure. This approach will allow more capacity for urgent care and help to protect healthy patients as recommended by the Mississippi State Department of Health.
University Counseling Center’s Employee Assistance-Mental Health Program (EAP-MH) will be available by appointment-only for faculty and staff. Please call 662-915-3784.
Please review the information below to keep yourself, your colleagues, and your family healthy.
What are the symptoms for COVID-19?
- Fever (Greater than 100.4°F)
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
What should I do if I develop these symptoms?
During clinic hours, call Employee Health Service at 662-915-6550. If applicable, be prepared to give information about being in contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or who recently traveled from or through an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19.
If you have COVID-19 questions or develop symptoms outside of our operating hours, you can use the following resources:
- UMMC 2 You App (Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-9pm; Sat 8am-5pm)
* This service is only available to employees on the state insurance plan offered by the university: If you have the Horizon or Legacy Select Plan, appointments will have a $10 copay. Base Plan members pay $49 per visit and are eligible for a $10 copay after meeting their annual deductible. Providers do not provide emergency care. In the case of medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
- Baptist Memorial Hospital – 866-941-4785 (Hours: 24/7)
- Mississippi Department of Health – 877-978-6453 (Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm)
How does it spread?
According to the CDC, the virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. This can be between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) or through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
What can I do to prevent potential exposure?
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds. If that is not an option, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with the inside of your elbow or with a clean tissue. Throw away dirty tissues immediately.
- Practice social distancing – this has been shown to be effective in slowing transmission
- Regularly disinfect frequently touched surfaces (cell phones, keyboards, doorknobs, light switches, desks, etc.)
As a reminder, those who are returning from international travel should complete the travel log and follow CDC recommendations. Currently, due to your travel, you must self-quarantine for 14 days after returning to the United States. Please do this at your home or at a location where you can remain socially distanced away from other people. Research shows that you could be spreading the virus if you are infected and do not yet have symptoms.
We appreciate your patience and understanding while we take action to provide the best quality care for our university population.
Employee Health Service
2nd Floor
400 Rebel Drive
University, MS 38677
662-915-6550