May 29 Update
PQC Wraps Up COVID-19 Reporting, Positive Results Remain at 61
After two and a half months of reporting COVID-19 tests and results, Physicians Quality Care is wrapping up the reporting effort today.
From March 18 through May 28, PQC tested 1,684 patients for the virus and received 1,648 test results back. The clinic has received no more positive test results for seven days, leaving the positive results at 61.
The breakdown of those positive results by county remains at Madison County, 37; Gibson, 8; Haywood, 8; Carroll, 2; Henderson, 3; Obion, 1; Crockett, 1; and McNairy, 1.
PQC has tested 1,091 patients for COVID-19 (Sars-CoV-2) IgG antibodies since it began offering the tests April 27.
“Physicians Quality Care will continue to safely test patients for the coronavirus at our Jackson location,” said Dr. Jimmy Hoppers, CEO. “We will also continue to test for antibodies in our urgent care clinics in Jackson and Milan. As we have said earlier, patients needing urgent care and primary care at our clinics can get treatment without the risk of getting COVID-19.”
May 22 Update
Two More PQC Patients Test Positive for COVID-19
Two more area residents learned Thursday that they tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of Physicians Quality Care patients with positive test results to 61.
Since March 18, PQC has tested 1,591 people for the coronavirus and received results on 1,570 of those tests. The new patients with positive results are a Madison County resident and a Crockett County resident.
PQC’s updated breakdown of positive test results by county is Madison County, 37; Gibson, 8; Haywood, 8; Carroll, 2; Henderson, 3; Obion, 1; Crockett, 1; and McNairy, 1.
Meanwhile, PQC continues to test patients for COVID-19 (Sars-CoV-2) IgG antibodies. IgG antibodies are the body’s immune system response to fighting off the presence of a virus.
Patients seeking tests for COVID-19 antibodies and other urgent care patients can walk in to the PQC’s urgent care clinics in Jackson and Milan without the risk of being exposed to the virus, said Dr. Jimmy Hoppers, CEO. Since mid-March, PQC has separated all patients who are concerned they may have the virus from its other urgent care and primary care patients. “We want people to know they can safely come for medical care without the risk of getting COVID-19.”
Physicians Quality Care will continue to test people for the virus and for antibodies to the virus as the economy slowly opens, Hoppers said. “We are still learning about this virus. For example, in new guidance for public health officials released this week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that new data collected before April 29 shows that about a third of the people who have had the virus were asymptomatic.”
PQC has treated and tested more people for COVID-19 than any other commercially owned medical clinic in the area. As part of its efforts to help reduce the spread of the virus, the clinic is also participating in a national research study of patients who have recovered from COVID-19. With all of its COVID-19-related testing, Physicians Quality Care is working with nationally accredited laboratories that are following FDA guidelines, said Hoppers.
May 18 Update
A Henderson County Resident Tests Positive for COVID-19
A Henderson County resident tested positive to COVID-19 a second time, bringing the number of positive test results received by Physicians Quality Care to 59.
Since March 18, PQC has tested 1,491 people for the coronavirus in its secure COVID-19 Clinic in Jackson and received 1,463 test results back.
Meanwhile, 903 people have come through PQC’s urgent care clinics in Jackson and Milan to be tested for COVID-19 antibodies. Physicians Quality Care, in partnership with LabCorp, a nationally accredited testing laboratory, began offering specific tests for COVID-19 (Sars-CoV-2) IgG antibodies three weeks ago. IgG antibodies are the body’s immune system response to fighting off the presence of a virus.
Patients seeking tests for COVID-19 antibodies and other urgent care patients can walk in to the urgent care clinics without the risk of being exposed to patients who may have the virus, said Dr. Jimmy Hoppers, CEO. “Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak in March, we set up separate clinics so our urgent care patients and our primary care patients could safely come to our clinics for medical care.”
PQC has treated and tested more people for COVID-19 than any other commercially owned medical clinic in the area. As part of its efforts to help reduce the spread of the virus, the clinic is also participating in a national research study of patients who have recovered from COVID-19.
May 14 Update
PQC Receives Three More Positive Test Results for COVID-19
Two Madison County residents and a Haywood County resident learned Wednesday that they tested positive for COVID-19 when Physicians Quality Care received its latest test results for the coronavirus.
Of the 1,373 results PQC has received since it began COVID-19 testing on March 18, the number of positives is now at 58.
“Even as the curve of new infections in West Tennessee begins to flatten, it is important we remain vigilant in identifying potential new cases,” said Dr. Jimmy Hoppers, CEO of Physicians Quality Care. “Unfortunately, this isn’t over yet.”
PQC’s updated breakdown of positive test results by county is Madison County, 36; Gibson, 8; Haywood, 8; Carroll, 2; Henderson, 2; Obion, 1; and McNairy, 1.
PQC has a separate and secure COVID-19 Clinic at its Jackson location to treat and test patients with COVID-19 concerns. Those seeking a test for the presence of the virus should call ahead or from the clinic’s parking lot when they arrive. They will be given a mask and taken to the separate entrance for the COVID-19 Clinic.
Meanwhile, those wanting to know if they have antibodies to the coronavirus or if they have other urgent care needs are asked to come to the PQC’s urgent care entrances in Jackson and Milan. Physicians Quality Care, in partnership with LabCorp, a nationally accredited testing laboratory, began offering specific tests for COVID-19 (Sars-CoV-2) on April 27. Since then, 713 people have been tested. IgG antibodies are the body’s immune system response to fighting off the presence of a virus.
PQC has treated and tested more people for COVID-19 than any other commercially owned medical clinic in the area. As part of its efforts to help reduce the spread of the virus, the clinic is also participating in a national research study of patients who have recovered from COVID-19.
With all of its COVID-19-related testing, Physicians Quality Care is working with nationally accredited laboratories that are following FDA guidelines, said Hoppers. “In order to stop the spread of this virus, we need to find out as much as we can.”
Because all COVID-19-concerned patients are directed to the Jackson location’s secure COVID-19 clinic, PQC in Milan has temporary hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. It plans to return to 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week on June 1.
May 12 Update
COVID-19 Antibody Testing Completely Separate from Other Virus Patients
Patients seeking tests for COVID-19 antibodies can walk into Physicians Quality Care’s Urgent Care Clinics in Jackson and Milan without the risk of being exposed to patients who may have the virus, said Dr. Jimmy Hoppers, CEO.
“Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak in mid-March, we have set up a separate and safe COVID-19 clinic at our Jackson location for people seeking treatment and testing for COVID-19. That allowed our urgent care and our primary care patients in Jackson and Milan to continue to safely seek medical care.”
PQC started offering specific testing for COVID-19 IgG antibodies two weeks ago, and 629 people have been tested. Meanwhile, since March 18 when PQC opened its COVID-19 Clinic, 1,353 have been tested for the virus. The number of people who tested positive for COVID-19 has remained at 55 for nearly a week.
PQC has treated and tested more people for COVID-19 than any other commercially owned medical clinic in the area. As part of its efforts to help reduce the spread of the virus, the clinic is also participating in a national research study of patients who have recovered from COVID-19.
People can be tested for COVID-19 antibodies if they have been symptom free for at least 10 days. “No appointment is necessary,” Hoppers said.
With all of its COVID-19-related testing, Physicians Quality Care is working with nationally accredited laboratories that are following FDA guidelines, said Hoppers. “In order to stop the spread of this virus, we need to find out as much as we can.”
May 11 Update
PQC: No Positive Test Results in Five Days
Physicians Quality Care has received 74 more test results for COVID-19 since Thursday, and none of the tests were positive. Of the 1,308 results PQC has received to date, the number of positives remains at 55. The last positive test result was reported five days ago.
PQC has been reporting the number of COVID-19 test results since mid-March when it set up a separate and secure COVID-19 clinic on Pleasant Plains Extended in Jackson. The purpose was to address the need to test patients concerned about COVID-19, while the clinic continued to safely see urgent care patients who were not presenting coronavirus symptoms in its Urgent Care Clinic and primary care patients in its Primary Care/OCCMed Clinic.
Since it began testing for specific COVID-19 (Sars-CoV-2) IgG antibodies in its urgent care clinics in Jackson and Milan, 629 people have been tested. Antibody testing is available for people who haven’t had any symptoms for the past 10 days.
The clinic is also part of a national research study that will help find treatments for the virus. People who have had the virus and are symptom-free can participate in the study.
With all of its COVID-19-related testing, Physicians Quality Care is working with nationally accredited laboratories that are following FDA guidelines, said Dr. Jimmy Hoppers, Physicians Quality Care’s CEO. “In order to stop the spread of this virus, we need to find out as much as we can.”
“Consider antibody testing, for example. We know that IgG antibodies are the body’s immune system response to fighting off the presence of other viruses. That’s why, as our economy opens up, it’s important to know who has IgG antibodies to COVID-19, even though we don’t have a definitive answer on what that means. Even the FDA has said COVID-19 antibody testing may indicate that ‘the person has been exposed to the virus and developed antibodies against it, which may mean that person has at least some immunity to the coronavirus.’”
May 7 Update
PQC Reports Another Positive Test Result for COVID-19
Another Madison County resident tested positive for COVID-19 when Physicians Quality Care received more test results Wednesday. Of the 1,234 results PQC has received to date, the number of positives is now at 55.
Physicians Quality Care has tested 1,265 people for the coronavirus since March 18, more people than any other commercial clinic in the Jackson area. All of these tests are done in its safe and secure COVID-19 Clinic on Pleasant Plains Extended in Jackson.
In its other efforts to remain in the forefront of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, PQC is offering specific COVID-19 antibody testing for people who haven’t had any symptoms in the past 10 days. The clinic is also part of national research study that will help find treatments for the virus.
PQC’s updated breakdown of positive test results by county is Madison County, 34; Gibson, 8; Haywood, 7; Carroll, 2; Henderson, 2; Obion, 1; and McNairy, 1.
Since PQC started testing for COVID-19 IgG coronavirus antibodies last week, 534 people have come in for tests. The office visit includes a quick appointment with a provider and getting blood drawn by a lab tech for the antibody test.
May 6 Update
PQC Reports No New Positive Test Results for COVID-19
Physicians Quality Care received another 34 COVID-19 test results Tuesday and, for the second day in a row, no results were positive for the coronavirus. Since March 18, PQC has tested 1,258 patients for the virus in its secure COVID-19 Clinic on Pleasant Plains Extended in Jackson. Of 1,194 results returned, the number of positive test results remained at 54.
Meanwhile, PQC continues to test people for COVID-19 IgG antibodies in its urgent care clinics in Jackson and Milan. People who are not exhibiting symptoms for COVID-19 can walk in to Urgent Care for a quick appointment with a provider and to get their blood drawn by a lab tech for the antibody test.
May 5 Update
PQC Reports No New Positive Test Results for COVID-19
Physicians Quality Care received another 20 COVID-19 test results Monday, and no results were positive for the coronavirus. Since March 18, PQC has tested 1,224 patients for the virus in its secure COVID-19 Clinic on Pleasant Plains Extended in Jackson, and 1,160 test results have been returned. A total number of 54 patients, spread out across the area, had positive test results.
Meanwhile, PQC tested another 40 people Monday for COVID-19 IgG antibodies. Patients who are not exhibiting symptoms for COVID-19 can walk in to PQC’s urgent care clinics in Jackson and Milan to get their blood drawn for the antibody test.
Physicians Quality Care, in partnership with LabCorp, a nationally accredited testing laboratory, is offering specific tests for COVID-19 (Sars-CoV-2). IgG antibodies are the body’s immune system response to fighting off the presence of a virus. PQC has done 426 tests for antibodies since it started offering them last week.
May 4 Update
PQC Receives Two More Positive Results for COVID-19
Physicians Quality Care received two more positive results – one for a Haywood County resident and one for a Henderson County resident – from its testing of patients for COVID-19.
Of the 1,140 people PQC has tested for the coronavirus since March 18, 54 people tested positive. People concerned they may have the virus are encouraged to come to PQC’s secure COVID-19 Clinic on Pleasant Plains Extended in Jackson for an exam and a nasal swab test for the virus.
The updated breakdown of positive results by county is Madison County, 33; Gibson, 8; Haywood, 7; Carroll, 2; Henderson, 2; Obion, 1; and McNairy, 1.
PQC also is testing people for COVID-19 IgG antibodies. Patients who are not exhibiting symptoms for COVID-19 can walk in to PQC’s urgent care clinics in Jackson and Milan to get their blood drawn for the antibody test. Since it started offering antibody testing last Monday, PQC has tested 426 patients.
Physicians Quality Care, in partnership with LabCorp, a nationally accredited testing laboratory, is offering specific tests for COVID-19 (Sars-CoV-2). IgG antibodies are the body’s immune system response to fighting off the presence of a virus.
May 1 Update
PQC Receives One More Positive Result for COVID-19
Another Madison County resident tested positive for COVID-19 Thursday as Physicians Quality Care received more results from its testing of patients for the coronavirus. Out of the 52 positive test results PQC has received, 33 now are Madison County residents.
PQC has been testing concerned patients for COVID-19 in its secure COVID-19 Clinic on Pleasant Plains Extended in Jackson since March 18.
On Monday, PQC started offering specific antibody testing for COVID-19 in its urgent care clinics in Jackson and Milan. Through Thursday night, 346 people were tested for IgG antibodies to COVID-19.
Physicians Quality Care, in partnership with LabCorp, a nationally accredited testing laboratory, is offering COVID-19 antibody tests in accordance with the public health emergency guidance issued by the FDA. On April 17, in an FDA-issued Fact Sheet, the FDA gave Emergency Use Authorizations for COVID-19 tests, including Sars-CoV-2 serological or antibody tests.
IgG antibodies are your immune system’s response to fighting off the presence of a virus, and the FDA has released the following statement: “Experience with other viruses suggests that individuals whose blood contains antibodies associated with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection – provided they are recovered and not currently infected with the virus – may be able to resume work and other daily activities in society.”
“The data we are getting is reliable,” said Dr. Jimmy Hoppers, CEO of Physicians Quality Care. “It is showing whether someone has developed antibodies (or markers) for the coronavirus. The answers to what does it mean to have antibodies for COVID-19 will come as we continue to learn more about this specific virus. However, we do know that the presence of antibodies to other diseases caused by a virus – measles, mumps, flu, chicken pox – confers a much lower risk of getting the disease or spreading it to others.”
For more information call 731-984-8400 or visit physiciansqualitycare.com. PQC in Jackson is open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. Telemedicine is available during those hours. Because all COVID-19-concerned patients are directed to the Jackson location’s secure COVID-19 clinic, PQC in Milan has new hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
April 30 Update
PQC Receives Two More Positive Results for COVID-19; Nearly 270 People Seek COVID-19 Antibody Tests in First Three Days
Physicians Quality Care counted two more positive COVID-19 test results for Madison County residents among the nearly 200 results returned to the clinic the first three days of this week.
Since March 18, PQC has tested 1,250 people for COVID-19 in its secure COVID-19 Clinic on Pleasant Plains Extended in Jackson. Among the 1,164 test results returned, 51 patients have tested positive. The updated county-by-county breakdown of people with positive results is Madison County, 32; Gibson County, 8; Haywood County, 6; Carroll County, 2; Henderson County, 1; Obion County, 1; and McNairy County, 1.
From Monday morning through Wednesday night, 245 people had come to the COVID-19 clinic to find out if they have the virus, and another 266 people had come to PQC’s urgent care clinics in Jackson and Milan to find out if they have antibodies to the virus.
The COVID-19 antibody tests used by Physicians Quality Care specifically test for Sars-CoV-2 (COVID-19) IgG antibodies, said Dr. Jimmy Hoppers, CEO of Physicians Quality Care. “Does this guarantee that there is no cross-reactivity to other members of the coronavirus family? No, but that can be said when testing for any virus.”
Those wanting an antibody test should be asymptomatic – meaning they’ve had no symptoms of the coronavirus for the last 10 days. They can walk-in to PQC’s urgent care clinics in Milan or Jackson. Similar to a regular office visit, they will meet with a provider and then have blood drawn. It will take two to three days for the results to come back from LabCorp.
April 29 Update
Physicians Quality Care Offers Specific COVID-19 Antibody Tests in Guidance with FDA Emergency Use Authorization
Physicians Quality Care tested another 100 patients for COVID-19 antibodies Tuesday as more people want to know if they have had the coronavirus and may have developed immunity.
“We don’t have enough data yet about COVID-19, but we do know that the presence of antibodies to other diseases caused by a virus – measles, mumps, flu, chicken pox – confers a much lower risk of getting the disease or spreading it to others,” said Dr. Jimmy Hoppers, CEO of Physicians Quality Care.
The COVID-19 antibody tests used by Physicians Quality Care specifically test for Sars-CoV-2 (COVID-19) IgG antibodies, Hoppers said. “Does this guarantee that there is no cross-reactivity to other members of the coronavirus family? No, but that can be said when testing for any virus.”
Physicians Quality Care, in partnership with LabCorp, a nationally accredited testing laboratory, is offering the tests in accordance with the public health emergency guidance issued by the FDA. On April 17, in an FDA-issued Fact Sheet, the FDA gave Emergency Use Authorizations for COVID-19 tests, including Sars-CoV-2 serological or antibody tests. “And, that is what we are using,” Hoppers said.
IgG antibodies are your immune system’s response to fighting off the presence of a virus, and the FDA has released the following statement: “Experience with other viruses suggests that individuals whose blood contains antibodies associated with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection – provided they are recovered and not currently infected with the virus – may be able to resume work and other daily activities in society.”
“The data we are getting is reliable,” Hoppers said. “It is showing whether someone has developed antibodies (or markers) for the coronavirus. The question is what does it mean to have antibodies for COVID-19, and those answers will come as we continue to learn more about COVID-19.”
“Knowing that you have antibodies to COVID-19 can give you peace of mind – you may not get the virus again or unknowingly spread the virus to someone else.”
Those wanting an antibody test should be asymptomatic – meaning they’ve had no symptoms of the coronavirus for the last 10 days. They can walk-in to PQC’s urgent care clinics in Milan or Jackson.
Like a regular office visit, they will meet with a provider and then have blood drawn. It will take two to three days for the results to come back from LabCorp.
April 28 Update
Physicians Quality Care Tests 106 People for COVID-19 Antibodies Monday; Volunteers Needed for Coronavirus Research Study
Physicians Quality Care tested 106 patients for the presence of coronavirus antibodies on Monday – the first day it offered the test at its Jackson and Milan locations.
At the same time, it is also asking those who have had the virus to volunteer in a research study that will help find treatments to fight the virus.
“Both initiatives are part of PQC’s efforts to help fight this pandemic as communities start lifting social restrictions and reopen our economy,” said Dr. Jimmy Hoppers, CEO of Physicians Quality Care.
“Knowing that you have antibodies to the virus can give you peace of mind – you probably won’t get the virus again or unknowingly spread the virus to someone else.”
Dr. Melanie Hoppers, PQC’s Chief Medical Officer, is leading the research study at PQC in a partnership with Clinical Research Solutions. The clinic will collect blood and swab samples from people who have had the coronavirus and are now symptom free. “This is a way to learn more about possible treatments from those patients who have already recovered from the virus,” she said.
For more information or to join the study, patients can call Aubrey Walgren at Clinical Research Solutions at 731-431-5027
Those wanting an antibody test, meanwhile, should be asymptomatic – meaning they’ve had no symptoms of the coronavirus for the last 10 days. They can walk-in to PQC’s urgent care clinics in Milan or Jackson.
Like a regular office visit, they will meet with a provider and then have blood drawn for a test that will check for the presence of IgG antibodies to COVID-19. IgG antibodies are your immune system’s response to fighting off the presence of a virus, Dr. Jimmy Hoppers said. It will take three to five days for results to come back from a CDC-accredited national testing laboratory.
“We don’t have enough data yet about COVID-19, but we do know that the presence of antibodies to other diseases caused by a virus – measles, mumps, flu, chicken pox – confers a lower risk of getting the disease. That’s why you get a measles vaccine as a child, so your body has the ability to develop IgG antibodies to the measles.”
April 27 Update
Physicians Quality Care Begins Testing for COVID-19 Antibodies Today; Eight More Positive Coronavirus Test Results Returned Over Weekend
Physicians Quality Care in both Jackson and Milan began testing patients today for the presence of antibodies to COVID-19.
“We’ve all been waiting for this to be available,” said Dr. Jimmy Hoppers, CEO of Physicians Quality Care. “Knowing that you have antibodies to the virus can give you peace of mind – you can’t unknowingly spread the virus to someone else, and chances are good that you won’t get the virus again.”
People who are asymptomatic – meaning you’ve had no symptoms of the coronavirus for the last 10 days – can come to either PQC urgent care location for a blood test that will check for the presence of IgG antibodies to COVID-19. IgG antibodies are your immune system’s response to fighting off the presence of a virus, Dr. Hoppers said. It will take three to five days for results to come back from a CDC-accredited national testing laboratory.
“We don’t know a lot about COVID-19, but we do know that the presence of antibodies to other diseases caused by a virus – measles, mumps, flu – confers a lower risk to getting the disease. That’s why you get a measles vaccine as a child, so your body has the ability to develop IgG antibodies to the measles.”
He continued to explain: “Though it’s not guaranteed that you will have immunity to the coronavirus with antibodies in your system, by default you will have some kind of immunity. It’s fair to compare any immunity you might have to getting immunity to the flu by getting a flu shot, Hoppers said. “Can you still get the flu? Yes. Will you get the flu? Probably not.”
As social restrictions are lifted, he continued, it’s important to know if you have developed natural immunity against the coronavirus. “No pandemic ever ended in a single wave. Experts expect the coronavirus to come back later this year. This will give us assurance going into the fall as it helps identify those who are “safe” and not likely to spread the disease.”
Testing negative for IgG antibodies is good, too, Hoppers said. “It means that what you are doing to avoid the virus is working.”
Getting the antibody blood test will be a simple office visit, Dr. Hoppers said. Most insurance companies will cover the cost of the visit; you’ll have a co-pay if your insurance company requires it. PQC will file your visit with your insurance company. “And, it’s highly possible, the federal government will pick up the cost of this antibody testing.”
Like any other urgent care patient, you will be met at the door to make sure you have no symptoms of the coronavirus. Your office visit will start with seeing a provider in an exam room and end with a blood draw by a lab technician.
“We won’t test for antibodies if you are showing symptoms,” Dr. Hoppers said. “Instead, we will recommend that you go to our secure COVID-19 Clinic to get a test for the virus.”
Eight More PQC Patients Have Positive Test Results
Meanwhile, eight more people had positive results when PQC received 103 coronavirus testing results over the weekend. Three of the new patients testing positive live in Gibson County, two live in Madison County, two in Haywood County and one lives in Carroll County.
By Sunday night, PQC had tested 1,003 patients for the coronavirus since March 18, more than any other privately-owned clinic in the Jackson area. All of PQC’s test kits are FDA approved and are sent to CDC-approved, nationally accredited reference laboratories.
The updated county-by-county breakdown of people with positive results is Madison County, 30; Gibson County, 8; Haywood County, 6; Carroll County, 2; Henderson County, 1; Obion County, 1; and McNairy County, 1.
April 24 Update
PQC Releases Thursday’s COVID-19 Results: 18 Tests Returned, One is Positive
Physicians Quality Care received 18 test results for the coronavirus Wednesday, including a positive result for a Haywood County resident.
Of the total number of 865 test results returned to PQC, 41 people have tested positive for the virus. The updated county-by-county breakdown of people with positive results is Madison County, 28; Gibson County, 5; Haywood County, 4; Carroll County, 1; Henderson County, 1; Obion County, 1; and McNairy County, 1.
Since mid-March, PQC has tested a 943 patients for COVID-19 – more than any other privately-owned clinic in the Jackson area.
April 23 Update
PQC Receives 49 COVID-19 Test Results Wednesday, One is Positive
Physicians Quality Care received 49 COVID-19 test results Wednesday, and another Madison County resident tested positive. PQC has tested 901 patients in its secure and isolated COVID-19 Clinic since March 18.
Of the total number of 847 test results returned, 40 people have tested positive for the virus. The county-by-county breakdown of people with positive results is Madison County, 28; Gibson County, 5; Haywood County, 3; Carroll County, 1; Henderson County, 1; Obion County, 1; and McNairy County, 1.
Patients coming to the clinic for a coronavirus test are asked to call ahead or from the parking lot once they arrive. They are then taken to the secure COVID-19 Clinic where they are examined and then tested.
April 22 Update
Physicians Quality Care Coronavirus Tests Total 856; No More Positive Tests Returned Tuesday
Physicians Quality Care continued to test patients for the COVID-19 virus Tuesday, bringing its total number of patients tested to 856. None of the results returned Tuesday were positive.
Patients coming to the clinic for a coronavirus test are asked to call ahead or from the parking lot once they arrive. They are then taken to the secure and separate COVID-19 Clinic where they are examined and then tested.
PQC is awaiting results for 58 coronavirus tests; turnaround time averages two to five days.
Of the 798 tests that have been returned, 39 are positive.
April 21 Update
Physicians Quality Care Tops 800 People Tested for COVID-19; Another Madison County Resident Tests Positive for the Virus
Physicians Quality Care has tested a total of 838 people for the coronavirus, far more than any other commercial clinic in the Jackson area, said CEO Dr. Jimmy Hoppers.
Out of the 794 results returned, 39 were positive for the virus.
“We appreciate that not every medical clinic has the facilities or staffing to separate coronavirus patients, and we welcome the patients other clinics are sending us to get COVID-19 testing,” Hoppers said.
On Monday, PQC received another positive test result for a Madison County resident, bringing the total of positive results by county to Madison County, 27; Gibson County, 5; Haywood County, 3; Carroll County, 1; Henderson County, 1; Obion County, 1; and McNairy County, 1.
Those who come to PQC to be tested should call ahead or from the clinic’s parking lot. They will be given a mask and taken to the secure COVID-19 clinic for an exam and the test for the virus.
April 17 Update
Physicians Quality Care Reports Two More Madison County Residents Test Positive for COVID-19
With two more Madison County patients testing positive for the coronavirus Wednesday, Physicians Quality Care has received a total of 37 positives out of 709 results returned from national testing laboratories.
Since March 18, PQC has tested 757 patients in its secure and isolated COVID-19 clinic at its Jackson location on Pleasant Plains Extended. All of PQC’s test kits are FDA approved and are are sent to CDC-approved, nationally accredited reference laboratories.
“People are still very anxious about whether they have the virus,” said Dr. Jimmy Hoppers, CEO of Physicians Quality Care. “We encourage them to come in and be tested. They are examined and tested in our COVID-19 clinic, which is completely separate from our urgent care clinic and our primary care/OCCMed clinic.”
A county by county breakdown of PQC patients who have tested positive for the virus shows Madison County has 25 positive test results; Gibson County, 5; Haywood County, 3; Carroll County, 1; Henderson County, 1; Obion County, 1; and McNairy County, 1.
April 16 Update
Physicians Quality Care Receives Two More Positive Test Results for COVID-19
Physicians Quality Care received two more positive test results for the coronavirus Wednesday, bringing to 35 the number of patients who have COVID-19.
Since March 18, PQC has tested 732 people for the virus in its isolated and secure COVID-19 clinic in Jackson on Pleasant Plains Extended and received a total of 663 test results back from national testing laboratories.
Patients who have tested positive for the virus live in several West Tennessee counties: Madison County, 23 positive test results; Gibson County, 5; Haywood County, 3; Carroll County, 1; Henderson County, 1; Obion County, 1; and McNairy County, 1.
All of PQC’s test kits are FDA approved and are sent to CDC-approved, nationally accredited reference laboratories.
People who want to sign up for the COVID-19 Awareness Program can call the clinic or do so online at the clinic’s website.
April 15 Update No. 2
Physicians Quality Care to Participate in COVID-19 Study to Help Find Treatment and Vaccine
Physicians Quality Care is participating in a national research study that will collect blood samples from people who have had the coronavirus and are now symptom free to help researchers develop treatment and a vaccine.
Physicians Quality Care is partnering with Clinical Research Solutions in the COVID-19 Study. “We will be collecting blood samples and nasal swabs from patients who tested positive for COVID-19, have recovered and are now symptom free,” said Dr. Melanie Hoppers, Chief Medical Officer at Physicians Quality Care.
“We are excited to participate in this study as our nation’s health care providers look for the best solutions to fight this pandemic,” Hoppers said. “This is a way to learn more about possible treatments from those patients who have already recovered from the virus.”
Dr. Hoppers is not a newcomer to clinical research studies. Over the last several years, she has overseen 10 studies at PQC, with most of those studies on the flu virus.
“The COVID-19 study is another step in our efforts to provide the best care for our patients,” she said.
For more information about the study, contact Aubrey Walgren or Amy Arnold at Clinical Research Solutions at 731-431-5027.
April 15 Update
Another Positive Test Result Returned
PQC received notice Tuesday from a national testing laboratory that a Gibson County resident tested positive for the coronavirus. Since March 18, PQC has tested 703 people for the virus in its isolated and secure COVID-19 clinic in Jackson on Pleasant Plains Extended. Out of the 645 results that have come back, 33 were positive for the virus.
April 13 Update
Physicians Quality Care Tests 46 Patients Since Friday for COVID-19 in Clinic Isolated from Urgent Care and Primary Care Clinics
Another 46 patients were examined and tested for the coronavirus in Physicians Quality Care’s isolated COVID-19 clinic over the weekend. Out of 71 test results reported to the clinic over the weekend, only one patient, a Williamson County resident, had positive results.
Since March 18, Physicians Quality Care has tested 639 patients for the coronavirus. Out of 608 tests results that have come back, 31 patients have tested positive for COVID-19.
All of PQC’s test kits are FDA approved and are sent to CDC-approved, nationally accredited reference laboratories.
April 10 Update
Physicians Quality Care Has Another Seven Patients Test Positive for the Coronavirus after Test Results Came in on Wednesday
Physicians Quality Care received five more positive test results for the coronavirus Thursday as it continued to test people for the virus in its secure and isolated COVID-19 clinic at its Jackson location on Pleasant Plains Extended.
“From the beginning, we wanted to give all of our patients a secure location as they seek medical care,” said Dr. Jimmy Hoppers, CEO of Physicians Quality Care. “We wanted to encourage people with coronavirus concerns to come in for testing, but we also needed to assure our regular urgent care patients, who are not experiencing symptoms related to the virus, and our OCCMed and primary care patients, who still need medical care, that they would not be exposed to the virus when they came to our clinic.”
“The bottom line,” he emphasized, “is that patients coming to Physicians Quality Care do not need to worry that they are going to be exposed to the coronavirus.”
The approach is working well, Hoppers said. “To make sure our patients are properly segregated, we screen all urgent care patients at the door with questions and a temperature check. We err on the cautious side. Based on the patient’s history and clinical presentation, if there is a significant possibility the patient may have the virus, they are sent to the COVID-19 clinic. There, they immediately go to an exam room, so they don’t come in contact with any other patient.”
A total of 593 patients have sought coronavirus testing. The clinic has received 537 tests back and is waiting on 56 results.
Thursday’s positive tests bring the total number of PQC patients with the virus to
30. Here’s the breakdown by county: Madison, 20; Gibson, 3; Haywood, 3; Carroll, 1; McNairy, 1; Henderson, 1; and Obion, 1.
“We are testing people who are anxious about the virus, people who are worried that they may have been exposed to COVID-19, have someone at home at high risk or think they themselves are at increased risk,” Hoppers said.
April 9 Update
Physicians Quality Care Has Another Seven Patients Test Positive for the Coronavirus after Test Results Came in on Wednesday
Physicians Quality Care learned Wednesday that it had another eight patients test positive for the coronavirus when it received 94 test results back from nationally accredited laboratories.
Wednesday’s positive tests bring the total number of PQC patients with the virus to 25. Here’s the breakdown by county: Madison, 16; Gibson, 3; Haywood, 2; Carroll, 1; McNairy, 1; Henderson, 1; and Obion, 1.
PQC is examining and testing people with coronavirus concerns in its secure COVID-19 clinic on Pleasant Plains Extended in Jackson.
Since March 18, the clinic has tested 576 patients for the virus and received 490 test results. It tested another 20 people Wednesday.
“Most laboratories are taking five or more days to return test results,” said Dr. Jimmy Hoppers, CEO of Physicians Quality Care. “We are working hard with our suppliers to get test kits that can turn around results much more quickly.”
PQC asks patients to self-quarantine while they wait for their results to help limit the spread of the virus, Hoppers said.
“We are testing people who are anxious about the virus, people who are worried that they may have been exposed to COVID-19, have someone at home at high risk or think they themselves are at increased risk,” Hoppers said.
April 8 Update
Physicians Quality Care Tests Another 53 People Tuesday for COVID-19
Physicians Quality Care tested another 53 people Tuesday for the coronavirus in its secure COVID-19 clinic on Pleasant Plains Extended in Jackson.
Out of 556 people tested, it is waiting on results for 160 patients. With no new positive results in Tuesday, PQC remains at 17 positive tests out of the 396 results it has received to date.
“We are on the phones, working with our suppliers, to get test kits that can turn around results much more quickly than the five or more days laboratories are taking to return most results,” said Jimmy Hoppers, CEO at Physicians Quality Care.
April 7 Update
Physicians Quality Care Receives 17 Total Positive Results from Testing Patients for the Coronavirus
A patient living in Obion County is the latest to have positive results for a coronavirus test at Physicians Quality Care’s secure COVID-19 clinic on Pleasant Plains Extended in Jackson.
PQC now has 17 positive tests out of 396 results it has received from national, CDC-approved laboratories. The clinic has tested a total of 503 patients and is awaiting results on 107 of those tests.
The breakdown of people with the coronavirus from PQC testing is Madison County, 11 people with the coronavirus; Gibson County, 2; Carroll County, 1; McNairy County, 1; Henderson County, 1; and Obion County, 1.
“We continue to encourage people who are worried that they may have been exposed to COVID-19, have someone at home at high risk or think they themselves are at increased risk,” said Dr. Jimmy Hoppers, CEO at Physicians Quality Care. “Patients are asked to quarantine themselves while they wait for the results to come back from the labs.”
April 6 Update
Physicians Quality Care Receives 10 More Positive Results from Testing Patients for the Coronavirus
Physicians Quality Care’s positive results from tests for COVID-19 jumped from six to 16 people as results came back from labs over the weekend. All but two of the new positives are patients who live in Madison County.
The breakdown is Madison County, 11 people with the coronavirus; Gibson County, 2; Carroll County, 1; McNairy County, 1; and Henderson County, 1.
PQC on Pleasant Plains Extended in Jackson, which tests patients with coronavirus concerns in its isolated and secure COVID-19 clinic, has tested 444 patients and has received results on 377 patients.
“Sixty-seven people came to the clinic over the weekend to be tested as concern and anxiety over the coronavirus increases,” said Dr. Jimmy Hoppers, the clinic’s CEO. “We encourage people to get tested if they are worried that they may have been exposed, have someone at home at high risk or think they themselves are at increased risk. Patients are told to quarantine themselves while they wait for the results to come back from the labs.”
April 3 Update
Physicians Quality Care Receives 10 More Positive Results from Testing Patients for the Coronavirus
Physicians Quality Care Receives Two More Positive Results for COVID-19 on Thursday, Bringing the Total to Six Patients with the Coronavirus
Physicians Quality Care received two more positive results from COVID-19 testing Thursday, bringing its positive tests to a total of six. Three patients live in Madison County, two live in Gibson County and the sixth is a patient living in Carroll County.
PQC tested another 46 patients on Thursday – its highest amount for any one day since it began testing on March 18. The clinic has tested a total of 351 people for the coronavirus and has received results for 153 of those tests. Many of those results, including the four new positives from this week, came from 75 “quick,” 24-hour tests PQC was able to secure from its suppliers.
“More people are concerned about the coronavirus and are coming in to be tested,” said Dr. Jimmy Hoppers, Physicians Quality Care CEO. “We quickly exhausted the 75 quick tests we were able to get this week, and we are looking into every avenue to get more. People are anxious; they don’t want to wait the five or more days it is taking to get other results back.”
“We encourage people to get tested if they are worried that they may have been exposed, have someone at home at high risk or think they themselves are at increased risk,” Hoppers says. “This will help slow down the coronavirus; people with positive tests are told to quarantine themselves so they don’t spread the virus to others.”
April 2 Update
Physicians Quality Care Has Tested 306 for COVID-19; Two Positive Tests for Madison County Residents Are Reported Wednesday
After testing 306 people for the coronavirus, Physicians Quality Care in Jackson has had two more positive test results, bringing the total of positive results to four. The two newest results, which were reported to the clinic on Wednesday, are Madison County residents.
At the end of the day on Wednesday, PQC had received a total of 110 test results. Many of them, including the two newest positives, came from 75 “quick,” 24-hour tests PQC was able to secure from its suppliers, said CEO Dr. Jimmy Hoppers, who has spent much of his time recently on the phone to suppliers, testing labs, government officials and other medical providers.
For example, he said, “I continue to have informal conversations with West Tennessee Healthcare President J.R. Ross and his medical director, Dr. Jackie Taylor, to see how together we can better fight this virus.”
As PQC continues to test patients with coronavirus concerns in its isolated and secure COVID-19 clinic, Hoppers is searching for more of the test kits that allow labs to turnaround tests in one to two days. “We quickly exhausted the 75 quick tests we were able to get, and we are investigating every avenue to obtain more.”
Patients with COVID-19 concerns should call PQC ahead of time or from the clinic’s parking lot when they arrive. They will be given a mask, brought through the COVID-19 clinic entrance and taken directly to an exam room without waiting. “We follow strict isolation protocols,” Hoppers said. Besides the test for COVID-19, the exam includes a medical history, physical exam and screening for other common illnesses that are treatable yet may mimic COVID-19 symptoms.
April 1 Update
Physicians Quality Care Has Tested 243 for COVID-19; Positive Tests Still Two
Physicians Quality Care in Jackson has tested 243 people for the coronavirus, and with 53 tests back so far, the number of positive results has remained at two patients.
On Monday, PQC started sending its FDA-approved COVID 19 tests to a CDC-approved, nationally accredited reference laboratory that is expected to return results more quickly.
“We’re hoping this shortens the turnaround time,” said Dr. Jimmy Hoppers, Physicians Quality Care CEO. “Realistically, the situation with the testing labs can change at any time, but we want to have infected patients get the care they need as quickly as possible. It’s also important to lessen the anxiety in our patients who have negative tests.”
The clinic has had two positive test results – both for non-Madison County residents.
March 31 Update
Turn-Around Time for COVID-19 Testing Drops to 24 Hours for Most Patients at Physicians Quality Care; Clinic Tests Another 38 People on Monday, March 30
Most patients who are tested for the coronavirus at Physicians Quality Care in Jackson can expect to get results back within 24 hours if they get tested Monday through Thursday. Those testing on Friday and over the weekend should see results by the following Tuesday.
“Physicians Quality Care is now sending its FDA-approved COVID 19 tests to a CDC-approved, nationally accredited reference laboratory that is able to get results in about 24 hours,” said Dr. Jimmy Hoppers, Physicians Quality Care CEO. “The situation is fluid and can change day to day. Unless and until this reference lab changes its policy or gets overwhelmed with COVID-19 tests, we can expect lab results back in a day.”
As of the end of the day Monday, PQC had done a total of 222 tests for the coronavirus; 38 of those tests were done Monday. The clinic has had two positive test results – both non-Madison County residents – out of the 48 results that have been returned so far. Increased volumes caused some of the national reference labs to take five days or longer to get results back to the clinic, Hoppers said. “We should have more results faster now that the wait time has been shortened.”
March 30 Update
Physicians Quality Care Tests 51 People for COVID-19 Over the Weekend; One Positive Test Returned for a Carroll County Resident
Physicians Quality Care in Jackson tested 51 more people for the coronavirus over the weekend and received notice of a Carroll County resident testing positive for the virus.
This brings the total number of people tested since March 18 to 184 and the number of people testing positive at two. PQC is waiting on results for many of the patients due to increased volume at national reference labs. Neither of the positive tests were Madison County residents.
“Patients who are worried that they may have been exposed, have someone at home at high risk or think they themselves are at increased risk are being tested in our COVID-19 Clinic at our Jackson location on Pleasant Plains Extended,” said Dr. Jimmy Hoppers, CEO. If you are concerned about COVID-19, we encourage you to get tested.”
March 28 Update
Physicians Quality Care Tests Another 26 People for COVID-19; One Positive Test Returned for a Non-Madison County Resident
Physicians Quality Care in Jackson tested another 26 people for the coronavirus Friday, March 27, bringing the total number tested since March 18 to 133. While PQC is still waiting on results for many of the patients due to increased volume at national reference labs, only one patient – a non-Madison County resident – has tested positive for the virus.
“We’ll continue to update the community about testing for COVID-19 and any positive results as they are reported,” said Dr. Jimmy Hoppers, CEO. “Patients who are worried that they may have been exposed, have someone at home at high risk or think they themselves are at increased risk are being tested in our COVID-19 Clinic at our Jackson location on Pleasant Plains Extended. If you are concerned about COVID-19, we encourage you to get tested.”
March 27 Update
To Date, Physicians Quality Care Tests 107 People for COVID-19; One Positive Test Returned for a Non-Madison County Resident
Physicians Quality Care in Jackson has tested 107 people for the coronavirus since it began testing on March 18. While PQC is still waiting on results for many of the patients due to increased volume at national reference labs, only one patient – a non-Madison County resident – has tested positive for the virus.
“Our system is working well,” said Dr. Jimmy Hoppers, CEO. “Patients who are worried that they may have been exposed, have someone at home at high risk or think they themselves are at increased risk are being tested in our COVID-19 Clinic at PQC that is completely separate from other patients. If you concerned about COVID-19, we encourage you to get tested.”
Patients with COVID-19 concerns are encouraged to call PQC ahead of time or call from the clinic’s parking lot. They will be given a mask and specific instructions. The patient will enter through an entrance isolated from all other patients and be taken directly to an exam room without waiting.
“When a patient arrives at Physicians Quality Care for COVID-19 testing, we will also obtain a complete history, perform an appropriate physical exam, and screen for other common illnesses that are treatable yet may mimic COVID-19 symptoms,” Hoppers said. “We will follow our strict isolation protocols, and each patient will be individually seen in our dedicated COVID-19 facility.”
March 26 Update
Corona Virus Concerns? You Can Be Tested in PQC’s Safe, Secure Facility
Patients who are concerned about having the corona virus can be tested in Physicians Quality Care’s secure clinic at its Jackson location on Pleasant Plains Extended in the Columns.
“We want to do our part in keeping Madison County and West Tennessee from becoming like New York or LA,” said Jimmy Hoppers, CEO. “To help prevent further spread, we need to identify those persons who may be infected, but who have yet to exhibit any symptoms.”
An individual may be asymptomatic for seven days or longer before becoming ill, Hoppers explained. “If you have concerns that you may have been exposed, have someone at home at high risk or you yourself are at increased risk, we strongly encourage you to be tested.”
PQC is treating and testing patients with COVID-19 concerns in a clinic that is completely separate from other patients. It has a separate entrance and exam rooms.
PQC uses FDA-approved COVID-19 tests that are sent to a nationally accredited reference laboratory that is approved by the CDC, Hoppers said. Results usually come back within five days, although the exact time frame depends on national volume.
“If you are concerned, let us test you,” said PQC Medical Director Dr. Peter Gardner. “Patients coming to the clinic for testing will follow the same protocol as any other patient concerned about COVID-19,” he said.
March 20 Update
Physicians Quality Care Offers Separate Entrances and Treatment Areas for Well Patients, Sick Patients, and Patients with COVID-19 concerns
Physicians Quality Care (PQC) opened its doors in Jackson this morning with separate, self-contained clinics to isolate non-infectious primary care and occupational medicine visits, COVID-19 concerns, and other non-COVID illnesses and injuries. Each clinic has its own entrance, waiting area, and exam rooms at PQC’s Jackson location on Pleasant Plains Extended.
“Our goal is to limit the spread of disease, treat the sick, and prevent exposing healthy patients to COVID-19 or other illnesses,” said Dr. Jimmy Hoppers, CEO. “The COVID-19 pandemic is serious, but we still need to treat chronic medical conditions, injuries and non-COVID-related illnesses, and meet the needs of our OCCMed patients.”
Primary Care and OCCMed patients now enter the clinic through its new addition on the north side of the clinic. No infections of any kind are seen in this area, which is completely separate from other areas of the clinic.
Patients who do not have fever, cough or shortness of breath, and have not been directly exposed to anyone with a documented COVID-19 infection, or who have sustained an injury that needs evaluation, will continue to come in through the regular Urgent Care entrance. Before approaching the front desk or taking a seat in the waiting room, however, staff will ask a few questions and quickly check their temperature, again, for their safety and the safety of others.
Patients who do have fever, cough or shortness of breath, have been exposed to a documented coronavirus case or feel they may have the virus, can call 731-984-8400 for information on how to be seen. They can also call from the clinic’s parking lot.
They will receive specific instructions and will enter through the former Primary Care and Physical Therapy doors. From there, they will be taken directly to a private exam room. They will not be required to wait in a public waiting area and will be kept isolated from other patients and staff not specifically treating potential COVID-19 patients.
Physicians Quality Care is also now offering telemedicine services for patients who are either unable or unwilling to make the trip to the doctor.
