By Ruth Cummins,

ricummins@umc.edu,

Dr. LouAnn Woodward, UMMC vice chancellor for health affairs, describes the Medical Center’s plans to facilitate additional screening and testing of Mississippians for the COVID-19 virus.
Dr. LouAnn Woodward, UMMC vice chancellor for health affairs, describes the Medical Center’s plans to facilitate additional screening and testing of Mississippians for the COVID-19 virus.
Dr. Alan Jones, UMMC chair of emergency medicine, said Medical Center leaders hope to have an in-house test for the COVID-19 infection, now being developed by UMMC researchers, available in less than two weeks.
Dr. Alan Jones, UMMC chair of emergency medicine, said Medical Center leaders hope to have an in-house test for the COVID-19 infection, now being developed by UMMC researchers, available in less than two weeks.

The University of Mississippi Medical Center is leading an effort to address the state’s community COVID-19 outbreak by offering triage for symptoms via a new smartphone telehealth app and collection of testing samples at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds.

Residents who believe they have symptoms of the virus must start the triage process beginning Monday by using the free app, C Spire Health UMMC Virtual COVID-19 Triage, created by the Medical Center and C Spire. The app is available for screening from 8 a.m.-8 p.m., seven days a week.

Only those triaged for risk through the app can take part in the collection of samples, at no cost, at the Fairgrounds beginning Tuesday. They must arrive at their scheduled time and present an identification number given to them from the app.