Employers, do you have questions about the Coronavirus?
Get real-time responses to your Coronavirus (COVID-19) questions. Complete the form below, or call our Coronavirus Response Team at 704-909-9908.
Tryon Medical Partners Updates
We offer every option to keep you safe and healthy during the coronavirus crisis. If you need care, you can connect with the doctors and team partners you know and trust. Our offices are open as usual, so do not hesitate to see your doctor in person for any health concerns or issues that are not related to symptoms of coronavirus. If you are experiencing coronavirus issues, call our office or schedule a virtual visit.
Tryon Offers Virtual Connect: On-Demand Telemedicine – NEW EXTENDED HOURS
Tryon Medical Partners offers on-demand telemedicine (also known as “virtual visit”) as an option for sick Tryon Medical Partners patients seeking immediate medical evaluation and feedback.
Tryon Virtual Connect ON DEMAND allows patients to connect with a primary care provider without making an appointment or coming into the office, keeping our offices safe for well patients, staff and physicians.
NEW EXTENDED HOURS are weekdays 8:00AM-9:00PM, and Saturday and Sunday 11:00AM-2:00PM. Click here to get started with your virtual visit.
Tryon Opens Remote Coronavirus Testing Location
Tryon Medical Partners has opened the first of our remote testing locations to give patients access to flu and COVID-19 testing without leaving their vehicles. The first location is in Matthews, located at 630 Matthews Township Parkway, with more to come.
Tryon Medical patients who have been prescreened by phone or through Tryon Virtual Connect can see a dedicated team of Tryon Medical Partners doctors and staff, to discuss coronavirus symptoms and concerns. They will administer a flu test first; the results will be returned while the patient waits. If the flu test is negative, a COVID-19 test may be administered. LEARN MORE>
Tryon Medical’s First COVID-19 Confirmation
A patient of Tryon Medical Partners who we tested outside one of our facilities has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. We are glad to report that at this time, this patient is resting at home and doing well. We wish this patient a speedy and full recovery that we will support in any way possible.
Tryon Medical team partners tested this individual outside of our location, per our usual testing protocol using every CDC-mandated precaution and best practice. “They handled it perfectly,” said Tryon Medical CEO Dr. Dale Owen. “I want to take a moment to recognize our exceptional doctors and team partners who saw this process through – thoroughly, safely, efficiently and with the utmost compassion.” LEARN MORE>
Coronavirus FAQs
It’s time to put panic aside and be prepared. The unknown is what makes coronavirus such a threat. We pledge to give you as much updated information as we can.
Here are a few common questions/answers about the coronavirus outbreak:
What are the symptoms of coronavirus?
According to the CDC, symptoms of coronavirus may appear two to 14 days after exposure and have included fever, cough and shortness of breath.
If you are exhibiting any symptoms, call your doctor. Be prepared to share information about your recent travel and, upon entering a healthcare facility, ask for a mask to help keep others, including healthcare workers, well.
With 127 flu deaths this season in North Carolina alone, flu is still of risk and is the first test given to those with respiratory symptoms. Read more about flu: Should I Get a Flu Shot?, How to Fight the Flu This Season
Is it ok to go to my doctor’s appointment?
The immediate health risk of coronavirus to the general U.S. public is considered low by the CDC. Please do not hesitate to visit the doctor and care for your health needs at this time.
If you are sick, call the Tryon Medical Partners office before coming in. We will assess your symptoms and risk, and determine the best next steps to help you.
What can I do to prevent myself and others from getting sick?
- Avoid contact with sick people.
- Avoid touching your face or mouth with your hands.
- Wash your hands often. Use soap and water for 20 seconds or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60%-95% alcohol.
- Clean your hands before eating, after using the bathroom and after coughing or sneezing.
- Clean surfaces that are often touched like doorknobs and phones.
- Stay at home as much as possible.
- Avoid crowds. Crowded, closed-in locations with poor ventilation and airflow increase your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like coronavirus.
Who is most at risk and how can I support them?
Older adults and those who have serious chronic medical issues like diabetes, heart disease and lung disease are most at risk of getting very sick.
Beyond having these at-risk individuals follow all the recommendations above, we can also support them in a variety of ways.
- Know the medications they are taking and make sure they have enough on hand.
- Monitor their food and medical supplies, making sure they have a stock of supplies to prevent them from making trips outside of the home.
- If they are at a care facility, monitor the situation and know what the protocol is if there is an outbreak.
Is it helpful to wear a mask?
The CDC does not recommend that those who are well wear a facemask to prevent getting respiratory diseases, including coronavirus.
A sick person can benefit those around them by wearing a mask to prevent the spread of the virus to others. When entering a healthcare facility, someone who exhibits symptoms of a respiratory disease like the flu may be asked to wear a mask to prevent the spread to healthcare workers and other patients.
Should I travel?
The CDC provides information for travelers. For even more information, the U.S. Department of State provides information to assess risk in travel including travel advisories.
What is coronavirus and how did these cases begin?
On January 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared coronavirus a global health emergency. The respiratory illness, first identified in Wuhan, China, has now resulted in thousands of cases across China. Being a new strain, information about coronavirus is still uncertain but cases have ranged from mild illness to death.
While this strain is new, coronavirus is a large family of viruses that most often infect animal species, though they can spread from animals to humans. Many patients have reported no contact with animals so Chinese officials report person-to-person contact is responsible for spreading the virus.
How many cases of coronavirus have been found in the U.S.?
As of March 16, there have been 3,487 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the U.S. including 68 deaths according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). There are 15 confirmed cases of coronavirus in North Carolina and 12 in South Carolina.
The CDC continues to release new information on U.S. cases and their geography.
