Lexington Medical Center, Prisma Health seek donations to combat coronavirus pandemic
A pair of major South Carolina medical centers are seeking supply donations as the number of coronavirus cases in the state continues to rise.
Lexington Medical Center Foundation and Prisma Health both said Friday that they are accepting donations of certain medical and cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment for clinicians and patients.
Among the items the health groups are seeking are:
Lexington Medical Center will also consider purchasing items from vendors at fair market value, it said in a news release Friday.
To donate or sell supplies to Lexington Medical Center, contact Community Outreach Manager Thomas Tafel at 803-791-2540 or by email at tetafel@lexhealth.org.
Prisma Health said it would not be able to accept homemade masks. To donate supplies, contact Manager of Procurement & Supplier Diversity Berri Heinz by email at Berri.Heinz@PrismaHealth.org.
Medical supply shortages, particularly of ventilators and personal protective equipment for health care workers, have become a growing concern across the nation as COVID-19 cases continue to multiply rapidly and threaten to overwhelm medical centers.
As of Friday afternoon, there were more than 500 confirmed cases of coronavirus in South Carolina, including 20 in Lexington County, where one person has died of the virus, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
This story was originally published March 27, 2020 at 12:10 PM.