Don’t hesitate to seek care if you are sick, need lab tests or screenings! Our physician practices, clinics and hospitals follow the latest state and federal guidelines to keep our patients and staff safe. No matter what your healthcare need, your well-being is our primary concern.
Med Center Health encourages all residents who are still unvaccinated to do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19. Frequent hand-washing for 20 seconds, maintaining social distancing of at least 6 feet and mask wearing in public spaces can help keep our community safe. Most important of all, get the vaccine.
Stay the course to keep our community safe! Widespread COVID-19 testing is locally available. Learn about one man’s journey through a COVID-19 diagnosis by watching the video about Terry Dial.
Get Vaccinated
Getting vaccinated may protect people around you, particularly people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Experts believe that getting a COVID-19 vaccine may also help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19. Med Center Health offers the vaccine in Bowling Green, Albany, Franklin, Horse Cave and Scottsville. Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and how to get it.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE
The CDC has released guidelines for those people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This guidance will be updated and expanded based on the level of community spread of SARS-CoV-2, the proportion of the population that is fully vaccinated, and the rapidly evolving science on COVID-19 vaccines. Read more at CDC.gov.
Wear a mask in public
The Delta variant is now estimated to be the most common variant of COVID-19 in Kentucky. Because this variant is highly contagious and potentially more dangerous, the governor’s office has issued the following recommendations for wearing masks:
- All unvaccinated Kentuckians should wear masks indoors when not in their home
- Kentuckians at higher risk due to pre-existing conditions should wear masks indoors when not in their home
- Vaccinated Kentuckians in jobs with significant public exposure should consider wearing a mask at work
- All unvaccinated Kentuckians, when eligible, should be vaccinated immediately
Learn more at kycovid19.ky.gov.
The CDC encourages unvaccinated people to wear a cloth face mask that covers their nose and mouth whenever they are out in the community. Wearing a mask, frequent hand cleaning, and social distancing are important preventive actions. It is necessary that all three recommendations be followed if you have not been vaccinated.
A cloth face covering is not intended to protect the wearer, but may prevent the spread of virus from the wearer to others. This would be especially important in the event that someone is infected but does not have symptoms. A cloth face covering should be worn whenever unvaccinated people go into public settings (grocery stores, for example).
Handwashing tips
Handwashing is one of the most vital things you can do to protect yourself from the spread of any virus, including COVID-19. The CDC recommends the following five steps for washing hands every time:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
You can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).
- Rub your hands together.
- Rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry. This should take around 20 seconds.
Social Distancing
Social distancing means keeping a space of at least six feet between yourself and other people. This is because the germs from a virus can travel between people from coughing or sneezing. When people are close to each other in a group, even talking or singing can transmit the virus.
- Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people
- Do not gather in groups
- Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings
COVID-19 Testing
Testing is available in our area, including at Medical Center Urgentcare and Med Center Health Primary Care. Testing as many people as possible is important because of how COVID-19 can be contagious even when someone does not have symptoms. To find the testing site closest to you, visit kycovid19.ky.gov for the most current list of locations.
If you are unvaccinated, it is important to follow the three recommendations from the CDC–cloth face covering, frequent hand cleaning and social distancing–to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
