Mega Doctor News
CORPUS CHRISTI – Driscoll Children’s Hospital physicians are at the forefront of providing critical medical information to the residents of South Texas about the COVID-19 pandemic.
Driscoll Health System has been taking precautions since COVID-19 first appeared internationally, working closely with the Nueces County Health Department and following CDC guidelines.
Currently, Driscoll Health System’s COVID-19 Leadership Team (CLT) monitors the situation in order to inform both the public and Driscoll employees.
“We are balancing keeping everybody safe – and everybody sane,” said Lee Budin, MD, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for Driscoll Health System at a media update at Driscoll Children’s Hospital for reporters.
“This is a time where we need to come together in a calm way and step up for our community,” said Mary Dale Peterson, MD, MSHCA, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Driscoll Health System.
“My message is that we are doing well right now,” said Jaime Fergie, MD, Director of Infectious Diseases at Driscoll Children’s Hospital. “We are prepared, and I see no need for anybody to panic over this.”
Driscoll Health System is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of its patients, parents, members, and staff, in addition to everyone in its service area of the Coastal Bend, Rio Grande Valley, Laredo, and Victoria.
To do so, Driscoll physicians reiterate the importance of social distancing and staying at home.
“We are definitely seeing a number of patients throughout the world who are having COVID-19, having another infection at the same time, so again it is safest to stay home unless you need elevated levels of care,” said Dr. Budin.
“Yes, we should be concerned, but at the same time reassured that there are measures in place,” said Dr. Fergie. “We have a strong Health Department right now that we are coordinating with all the hospitals. We have resources and we’re getting more resources.”
Dr. Fergie explained that the emphasis on hygienic measures will help in the battle against other viruses.
“All of this extra awareness about the transmission is going to have the benefit to bring down the number of cases of many other viruses,” said Dr. Fergie. “We’re going to see less influenza, less RSV, less of the common coronavirus because people are now doing more of the hand sanitation, more of the handwashing.”
