Hattiesburg volunteers and the members of the public who picked up a mask last Saturday at Fire Station No. 8 at 104 Lamar Blvd. can self-monitor for symptoms or take any necessary tests.
A Hattiesburg Fire Department employee tested positive for COVID-19 and has not been at work since last Saturday, after the employee volunteered during mask distribution at the fire station.
Any chance that the virus may have been transferred to the recipients is limited.
Fire Department officials traced direct exposure of this employee to two additional employees, who are now at home in self-isolation until they receive testing results. Indirect exposure includes about 14 employees. Out of an abundance of caution, those employees will be tested and continue to wear PPE at all times while at work.
All employees with direct and indirect exposure at the Hattiesburg Fire Department have been notified of the presumptive positive test. Tests will also be scheduled for any employee who was not directly exposed but who wants to be tested out of caution.
The Exposure & Symptoms Protocol for COVID-19 was developed based on CDC guidelines and input from the Hattiesburg medical community. It relates to any employee with symptoms or who had exposure to COVID.
The total confirmed number of positive cases for the city of Hattiesburg’s workforce is nine since March 11.
The list of testing sites in Hattiesburg includes:
- C.E. Roy COVID-19 Testing Site – Free; 300 E. Fifth St., Hattiesburg, MS 39401; Hours: Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Cough + Fever Clinic / Curbside COVID Testing – 5905 U.S. Hwy. 49, Hattiesburg, MS 39402; Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Merit Health Wesley – Resident Clinic – 103 Asbury Circle, Hattiesburg, MS 39402; Phone: 601-268-5200.
- Trust Care – 6176 U.S. Hwy. 98, Hattiesburg, MS 39402; Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Phone: 601-475-0444.
- SeMRHI - Minor Care Clinic – 123 S. 27th Ave., Hattiesburg, MS 39401; Hours: Monday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Phone: 601-450-3030.