Jon Hopkins has launched a new Meditations series and shared its first track listen to Singing Bowl (Ascension) below.

The track was created using vibrations from a 100-year-old singing bowl that Hopkins found in an antique shop in Delhi.

The first version of what became the new track was heard at a 2019 installation at the Helsinki Arts Festival. Listen to the new track below.

Talking about creativity during the coronavirus pandemic, and the process of creating the new track, Hopkins said: Like so many people I felt pretty paralysed by this situation when it first unfolded. All my plans for the year were cancelled, and everything felt so weird and dreamlike. But gradually I found I wanted to create something to find peace and perspective through making music, as I have always done.

It felt beautifully pure to just use one acoustic sound source, and no synths. It was liberating to write something without playing anything on a keyboard to avoid the familiar diatonic scale for the first time, and thus avoid any of my own conditioned playing habits.

Jon Hopkins. Credit: Getty

He added: There was a magic in setting this generative system in motion then just letting the vibrations of this bowl create their own world. I listened to harmonics layering on top of harmonics for hours and was transported.

Singing Bowl (Ascension) appears on a new meditative 24-hour playlist that Hopkins curated for Spotify, which you can listen to here.

Jon Hopkins last shared new music back in February with stripped-back, acoustic track Scene Suspended. It follows 2018 LP Singularity, which NME described as perfectly showcasing the producers painstaking hypnotic mastery.

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Hear Jon Hopkins new track Singing Bowl (Ascension), the first in a new meditative series - NME

GENESEE COUNTY (WJRT) (5/5/2020) - An emergency room doctor says the fight against the coronavirus continues, but there are positive signs.

Despite the progress against stopping the spread of COVID-19, he said it's important that everyone take precautions to avoid getting the virus.

The doctor at Ascension Genesys Hospital in Grand Blanc Township said fewer patients are coming to hospitals, but health officials will get a better feel for the progress in stopping the spread of coronavirus when businesses reopen.

"This is all new to us. I have to admit that, luckily we have never seen anything like this before," said Dr. Muhammad Aboudan, who is the medical director of intensive care units at Ascension Genesys Hospital.

He said the grip of the coronavirus is starting to loosen a bit.

"It's going much better. I honestly think we are now the number of patients decreasing, we are definitely beyond plateauing and flattening the curve," Aboudan said.

Genesee County ranks fifth in the state for the number of positive coronavirus cases and the fourth highest death toll of all the counties.

"Luckily we have less people coming to the hospital positive with COVID which is just great. It's good to see the epidemic is getting under control to be honest with you," Aboudan said.

But just because the number of cases the hospital seeing is going down, he said social distancing, hand washing and staying at home when possible should continue.

Aboudan said COVID-19 is much more contagious than the flu.

"Everybody should take this disease serious. It is affecting young people, elderly, women, children and men, and everyone should be very careful," he said.

He believes the real test will come soon, as Michigan prepares to reopen parts of its economy in the coming days and weeks.

"People start going back to work, partially, this is something to keep an eye on and continue to monitor as people become a little more active," Aboudan said.

He said the development of a vaccine will be key in returning to some sense of normalcy.

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Ascension Genesys doctor: Coronavirus pandemic is starting to ease in Mid-Michigan - ABC 12 News

Gonzales Spring Outdoor Farmers Market open for business

The Gonzales Outdoor Farmers Market is open every Saturday until beginning of August from 7 a.m. to noon at La. 621 and KC Road.

The market is also looking for farmers to sell produce at the weekly market.

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The market is partnering with Tanger Mall to host the event in June and October.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/Hwy621OutdoorMarket/

Rural Roots of Jazz

The River Road African American Museum is missing all of its visitors and friends. So, the museum has decided to bring the museum to the public. The museum's newest exhibit is the Rural Roots of Jazz, which explores the talented musicians that came from the River Parishes and the Donaldsonville area.

Over the next few weeks, will share interviews from its founder Kathe Hambrick with various musicians, that have roots back to the River Parishes.

"The Rural Roots of Jazz exhibit at the RRAAM is sure to captivate you when you get a chance to visit again in person, but until then please enjoy the Rural Roots of Jazz virtually," according to a news release.

First up, meet Don Vappie by visitinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw_9CWHtZ54&t=18s.

Due to the coronavirus, the museum is offering tours on an appointment only basis.

Thanks to all our readers who have reached out with well wishes, story ideas and information we can publish to keep everyone informed.

We can't wait to see how everyone celebrated Mother's Day. Please send us photos and info from the big day.

We wanted to remind everyone of our new publication date; which has been moved to Wednesdays.

While there are fewer events to share with our readers, we do want to continue our commitment to spreading the word of news happening despite the closure of schools, churches and business. Please send us photos and information on how your family or organization is dealing with the stay-at-home policy.

Email ascension@theadvocate.com or call (225) 603-1998.

We're working from home, like most of you, but we are on the job.

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Around Ascension for May 6, 2020 | Ascension - The Advocate

Arn Anderston claims The Ascension were victims of Vince McMahon's intentions to see them buried.

Former WWE producer Arn Anderson has spoken about Vince McMahon's treatment of The Ascension, claiming the WWE chairman tried burying the tag team after they were promoted to the main roster.

The former NXT Tag Team Champions won 11 consecutive matches after their Raw debut in late 2014, a streak which saw them beat the New Age Outlaws at the Royal Rumble in 2015.

Previously:Wrestlers React & Bid Farewell To Released WWE Superstars

The good times were short-lived, however, as they would be embarrassed by three legendary teams including nWo, Farooq & Bradshaw and Road Dogg & Billy Gunn during an episode of Raw that same year.

Anderson, who was at WWE at the time, said the tag just wasn't going to have that great of a gimmick as announcers were instructed to bury them and compare them to The Road Warriors.

Why would you take any character that is on our show that the company professes to being the number one wrestling company, or the number one sports entertainment company in the entire world, and put them on our TV show with valuable TV time and bury them, have the announcers bury them? Anderson said on his ARN podcast recently (H/T Sportskeeda.com).

Asked specifically if McMahon would have been the one to make that decision, Anderson said the promotion's owner is always the one who has the final say when it comes to characters and their gimmicks.

Sure. Everything character-wise passes by the big chair," he said. "If its the last place they go, it goes by the big chair for approval. Make no mistake, characters, angles, you name it.

The tag team was eventually released by WWE, with their final match taking place last April. They were let go in December after eight months of inactivity.

They would join the independent circuit shortly after.

Next:Arn Anderson Claims Cesaro Isn't Liked By WWE Management, Company Banned His Most Impressive Moves

Source: ARN podcast (H/T Sportskeeda.com)

Chris Jericho Recalls How Furious He Was After His WrestleMania 18 Paycheck

Kavan is a freelance writer for TheSportster who also contributes to TheRichest and HotCars. A huge Chelsea and Miami Heat fan, Kavan also enjoys watching pro wrestling, boxing and MMA. When away from the keyboard, Kavan is very likely to be found in the gym or fiddling with a video game controller.

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Arn Anderson Says Vince McMahon Had Announcers Bury The Ascension - TheSportster

Ascension Medical Group has added additional COVID-19 drive-through testing locations. In addition to Rhinelander, Crandon and Plover, Ascension has added Tomahawk and Woodruff testing sites.

Individuals who wish to be tested at drive-through locations must first be pre-screened by an Ascension Medical Group provider by appointment or virtually.

The screening involves a series of questions about symptoms, travel history and any potential contact with COVID-19 patients. Patients who meet the criteria, which is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, will schedule an appointment for drive-through testing.

Nasal swab samples will be collected and sent to a state-approved lab for analysis. Patients will be directed to return home and self-isolate for 14 days. Ascension will contact patients with results; positive results will be sent to the appropriate public health departments.

According to the CDC, symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild to severe and may appear 2-14 days after being exposed to the virus. Symptoms seen with the infection with COVID-19 are not specific, with cold-like symptoms in mild cases. Symptoms could include a fever, along with cough and shortness of breath. If someone is elderly or has other medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease, diabetes or cancer, they may get sicker from the virus and develop pneumonia or other lung problems. For more information on COVID-19, please visit cdc.gov.

There also is an Ascension COVID19 Hotline set up for those who have general questions about COVID-19. The toll-free number for Wisconsin is 1-833-981-0711. Access to COVID-19 online information from Ascension, including an online assessment tool is available here.

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April 2, 2020 Ascension adds drive-through testing sites - Starjournalnow

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MILWAUKEE -- "If I become sick, I don't want to even say anything," one nurse said.

In that single sentence, she summarized what seven Wisconsin nurses, doctors, and medical assistants spent hours describing to FOX6. The employees, who work for various area health systems, expressed fear that their employers' policies will discourage sick medical professionals from staying home, while encouraging the spread of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, health system administrators say they're trying to protect their workers while ensuring they have enough staff to respond to the current health crisis.

"My number one concern is obviously the safety of the public," the nurse said.

'How would I know?'

"I'd been controlling the fever pretty much with Tylenol and ibuprofen, but I was still getting night sweats," an Advocate Aurora medical assistant said. "And then I was actually short of breath."

It took the medical assistant four days to get tested for COVID-19, and four more to receive the negative results.

"But they did say since I had a little bit of a cough, I had to remain home until I was three days symptom-free without any fever control medications," he said, adding that he used ten days of personal time off, or PTO, during the time he followed instructions and stayed home.

"I just said, 'Hey this is what happened and I'm just looking to see if I can get time back for the quarantine pay,'" the medical assistant said. "And the response was, 'Did you have a confirmed work case exposure?'"

"How would I know?" he asked.

How it works

Employees gave FOX6 copies of Advocate Aurora, Froedtert Health, Froedtert South, and Ascension policies about COVID-19 leave. The pandemic is forcing health systems to change their policies frequently, sometimes daily, but employees provided the most up-to-date paperwork they had.

While the health system leave policies differ in several ways, each outlined a manner in which employees would be paid if exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 case on the job.

But with strict restrictions on who can get tested for COVID-19 and delays in receiving test results, health care workers say they're usually unsure if, when, or where they were exposed. That means medical professionals who show symptoms of COVID-19 could end up at home using PTO or going without pay.

What's the big deal?

If sick leave is meant to be used when employees are sick, why does it matter if doctors, nurses, and medical assistants need to use that leave when exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms from unknown sources?

Every health care worker who spoke to FOX6 expressed concern that, in this pandemic, requiring medical professionals to use their often-limited PTO or go without pay will discourage them from staying home if they're sick, and instead encourage the spread of COVID-19 to their vulnerable patients.

The policies

Advocate Aurora's policy dated March 30, 2020 says employees receive "quarantine pay" if exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 case at work. "Personal exposure" requires the use of PTO; employees are permitted to "borrow" against future PTO. Previous versions of the policy specified that employees would need to take unpaid time off in the absence of PTO.

Froedtert South, which includes Froedtert Kenosha Hospital and Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospial, has a policy saying employees who test positive for COVID-19 due to workplace exposure will be asked to fill out a worker's compensation claim, while employees with COVID-19 symptoms will "follow standard call-in/attendance procedures.

The policy says employees who test positive for COVID-19 from "personal exposure" and are not eligible for benefits will be unpaid.

"If I call in and tell you I have a sore throat or a cough, I get quarantined for 14 days without pay," a Froedtert South nurse said. "So there are many people that are the sole breadwinners of their family. So do you really think they're going to tell the truth and say, `Uh, yeah I'm not feeling very well?'"

"It will spread," a different Froedtert South nurse said. "A hundred percent. Because we're not being tested and we're not being compensated if we get infected. So who wants to go up there and be like, 'Oh, I feel like I have shortness of breath and I woke up today with a fever and it's kind of hard for me to breath,' when I know I'm going to be sent home without pay? People are going to come to work and it's going to spread."

"Were not protected in that sense," she continued. "And that is scary. That is downright scary."

Froedtert Health, which includes Froedtert Hospital, Froedtert West Bend Hospitals, and Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital, has different human resources policies. Those documents say staff will continue to receive full pay if they test positive for COVID-19 or are quarantined, but the paperwork provided to FOX6 does not detail what happens to employees who are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.

Ascension's policy says employees are paid for work-related exposure, and use a combination of PTO and/or short-term disability for "social-related" exposure.

None of the health system policy documents provided to FOX6 specify exactly how the workplaces will determine whether an employee's potential COVID-19 exposure is work-related.

"How are we supposed to feed our kids, our family?" a Froedtert South nurse asked. "Pay our mortgage, our bills? Buy food? Everybody there wants to protect the public. But unfortunately, we just arent having the means presented to us."

Health systems respond

FOX6 asked Advocate Aurora, Ascension Wisconsin, Froedtert Health, and Froedtert South for copies of their most updated COVID-19 leave policies. None of the health systems provided the documentation, nor did they answer specific questions about how those policies work.

Instead, company spokespeople sent statements outlining how they are trying to provide additional resources for their employees during the pandemic. Employees who work closely with administrators but were not authorized to talk to the press about this issue emphasized the difficult balance of protecting employees and ensuring there are enough staff members to handle future predicted surges in COVID-19 cases.

An Aurora Advocate spokesperson said:

"We are grateful for the unwavering commitment of our team members during this public health crisis. Our approach to supporting team members who need to be away from work continues to evolve as the crisis unfolds. The care of our team members is always top of mind, and weve made available a number of resources and introduced new programs, including an enhanced PTO policy and an innovative partnership with the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee, to support them during these challenging times."

An Ascension Wisconsin spokesperson emailed:

"The safety of our patients and caregivers is our utmost priority as we all work to slow the transmission of COVID-19 and care for all those in need. As cases of COVID-19 increase, Ascension Wisconsin continuestoaggressively respondtothis evolving situationtoensure we are protecting our patients, associates and the communities we serve. We are constantly reassessing and updating our policies and guidelinesin accordance with CDC recommendations."

"As part of our commitment toour associates, Ascension Wisconsin is helping associates who are requiredtowork during this national crisis who may have additional unexpected dependent care needs during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Ascension Wisconsin Foundations has developed a statewide resource for all Ascension Wisconsin associates who areinneed of childcaretoconnect themto those needed and available resources."

In an email, a Froedtert Health spokesperson outlined efforts to expand the number of staff working from home, create a platform to connect employees with child care, and provide additional resources for mental health and emotional health needs.

Froedtert South did not respond.

"I used to be in the military, I get the whole situation," the Advocate Aurora medical assistant said. "They need to have the people they need to do the work. But they also need to protect the people who do the work."

43.038902-87.906474

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Wisconsin health care workers worry limited access to paid leave will allow COVID-19 to spread - WITI FOX 6 Milwaukee

Facebook pages and groups have been created to provide networking opportunities among Ascension Parish residents.

During a time of social distancing, many are utilizing social media to keep in touch during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Facebook pages and groups have been created to provide networking opportunities among Ascension Parish residents.

Save Ascension Businesses, with some 800 followers, was created by St. Amant Fire Chief and Constable James E. LeBlanc as a platform to support local businesses during the economic downturn.

Local businesses are the heartbeat and backbone of small towns like our own, and they need our help in times like these, the pages pinned post read.

Daily posts feature a variety of businesses from around the parish, sharing special offers and inventory updates.

Louisiana has 437,437 small businesses, which account for 99.5 percent of the state's businesses, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The state has 917,466 small business employees, a representation of 53 percent of Louisiana's employees.

Aside from promoting small businesses in the area, others have been sharing general information of interest to locals.

COVID-19: Surviving in Ascension Parish was created to provide networking, resources, and moral support. It had more than 1,750 members over the weekend.

Mary Wesley Babin and Buddy Legnon serve as administrators for the group.

"Buddy and I have tried to keep this site very clean and informative," Babin said. "It's been a pleasure having everyone on this site."

One member has posted a prayer every day for members, she said.

Also, the group plans on holding a drawing for an Ascension Parish family or single parent currently unemployed.

"We will be giving away some seasoning, groceries, and essentials," Babin said.

Tara Broussard said the group is the only one she uses for local information on coronavirus.

Though some comments to posts have been snippy, overall she's found the group informative and encouraging.

"No group is perfect, and I don't expect it to be," she said.

Lori Thacker said she follows just one group to avoid an overload of coronavirus information.

"I've learned a lot about COVID-19 and how it's affecting my community. This is the only group like this I'm in," she said.

Jenny Brignac Kocke has been impressed with the level of civility of the members.

"It's probably one of the most civil ones in all of Facebook!" she said. "Which isn't an easy task. It's very informative, as well as helpful."

Lydia Brown also found the group's posts helpful.

"I get a lot of information here," she said.

Belinda Guillot and Cathryn Stanley both agreed that the group was a great resource.

"It keeps those in our area on top of the latest information," Stanley said.

This group is very informative, and I like that its local, Kari Millet added.

Deanna Roberts Bourgeois has been checking in every day.

"Using technology to stay connected as a community can be powerful," she said.

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Ascension residents turn to social media in time of social distancing - Weekly Citizen

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Head Coach Lonny Landry talking with player as the Ascension Blue Gators take on Holy Savior Menard in game two of the semi final round of the LHSAA playoffs. Sunday, May 5, 2019.(Photo: SCOTT CLAUSE/THE ADVERTISER)

The Ascension Episcopal Blue Gators baseball lost several talentedseniors from last season's Division III state runner-up team, including ace pitcher Sean Michael Brady.

However, the Blue Gators came out of the gate strong with a young group that featured only one senior in the starting lineup, and compiled an 8-1 record.

But their promising season along with every other spring sports team in the area was suspended due to COVID-19.

The Blue Gators were on the field when they found out about the suspension, and it may have very well been the last time they stepped onto the field this season.

We had to stop playing and never got an opportunity to finish,"Blue Gators head coach Lonny Landry said. "We have a young group that plays hard. They haven't received interest yet, but they have the ability to play at the college level. Their play on the field determines if they get offered or not."

Blake Pearson at the plate as Ascension Episcopal takes on St. Thomas Aquinas in the semi final round at the LHSAA State Championship. Wednesday, May 8, 2019.(Photo: SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network)

The Blue Gators are doing all they can to stay in shape.

More: High schools prepare for trickle-down effects of extra NCAA eligibility

"Theyve been working out at home, kind of coaching themselves, but its completely different than being supervised," Landry said."We were playing really well with a young group of kids who were competing their tails off."

The key senior leader for the Blue Gators was pitcher/outfielder Blake Pearson, who may have played his final baseball game.

"Blake was our only senior starter," Landry said. "He's going to medical school and was just playing for the love of the game."

Pearsonwas the leader of the Blue Gators' pitching staff so far with a perfect record at 3-0, and hewas complemented by sophomore pitchersLogan Overton and Hayden Cormier.

"Loganwas getting stronger and stronger every time he got on the mound," Landry said. "It's a shame that he'llhave to basically start from zero again, workload-wise, but everyone will be in the same boat. Haydendid a great job in relief."

More sports: Pandemic a serious issue for Westminster athlete born with impaired immune system

The Blue Gators were also off to a strong start offensively with a young lineup which included freshman BlaiseBlancher, sophomore Barrett Hebert and junior Preston Ocmand.

"Blaise Blancer's a freshman, and it's his second year starting," Landry said. "He's got potential to play college baseball. We've also had strong play from sophomore first baseman Barrett Hebert and junior Preston Ocmand, who's our leadoff hitter.It'stough that they're missing out on valuable reps and just being seen."

Preston Ocmand throws down to first as Ascension Episcopal falls to Calvary Baptist Championship round at the LHSAA State Tournament. Monday, May 13, 2019.(Photo: SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network)

Even if the Blue Gatorscan't get back to playing this season, Landry'sproud of his young team's efforts and is excited about their potential for the future.

"The guys did a great job this offsesaon," Landry said. "If it doesn't happen this year, we'll just have to get back to playing this summer to get ready for next season."

Read next: Breaux Bridge baseball still hoping to find redemption

Spencer Urquhart covers high school sports for The Daily Advertiser. Email him at surquhart@theadvertiser.com and follow him on Twitter @surquhart98.

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Ascension baseball team trying to make the best of downtime - Daily Advertiser

Dr. Allison Bollinger who oversees 150 emergency departments in Middle Tennessee and beyond

Front-Line Hero "Q and A" with Dr. Allison Bollinger who serves as Vice President of Emergency Services for Ascension and lives in Nashville.

Q: For you as a healthcare worker, what does this pandemic feel like?

A: I have a unique role because I oversee 150 emergency departments across Ascension and I also work clinically in the ER as an Emergency Department physician. Preparing all of our Emergency Department's for the surge of patients that we predict to see is very overwhelming. Some of our ministries are already dealing with that surge, and hearing their stories is very concerning. The Emergency Department's in Tennessee have not experienced that surge yet, so there is an uncomfortable anticipation as we await the surge to happen to us. We are rapidly preparing here for what we expect to see very soon.

Q: What are you doing to keep yourself safe?

A: My family and I are staying at home. We order food and groceries. We are not interacting with others, except virtually. We have to set an example for the rest of our friends, families, and neighbors. With a surge expected in TN in the next few weeks, now is the most pivotal time for us to decrease the number of people who are contracting this virus.

Q: Healthcare workers are being called "unsung heroes" by many; how does that make you feel?

A: I don't deserve that title. I am working from home for the most part. I work very few clinical Emergency Department shifts. I am safe most of the time and have time to replenish and recover in between shifts. The real heroes are the ones who are putting in long hours regularly on the front line. The doctors, advanced practice providers, nurses, techs, and support staff (like transport and environmental services) who are subjecting themselves to this invisible war on a daily basis are the real heroes.

Q: Do you feel that your team is making a difference?

A: Absolutely. I am grateful to oversee the Emergency Department services team for Ascension. We have a very strong collaborative group of Emergency Department leaders all across the country who are trying to help our hospitals and emergency departments prepare for every possible worst case scenario. We are putting in long hours trying to give all the tools and every ounce of support that we can to our frontline providers in this scary and uncertain time. I am grateful to be leading those efforts.

Q: What is the main message you want the public to know/understand during this time?

A: They have the most important role to play in what happens in this story. The medical community does not currently have a cure for this virus, the only tool we currently have to significantly impact the number of deaths is social distancing. Every time they decide to stay home and distance themselves from others they are making a decision to decrease the spread of this invisible threat that could impact them and so many others. We will likely see a massive surge of cases in TN in the coming weeks. Every decision they make right now will play a sizable role in how well we weather that storm. We need the public to help us just as much as we are trying to help them.

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COVID-19 "Q and A" with Dr. Allison Bollinger who oversees 150 emergency departments in Middle Tennessee and beyond - Wgnsradio

NEW YORK Tiffany Pinckney remembers the fear when COVID-19 stole her breath. So when she recovered, the New York City mother became one of the country's first survivors to donate her blood to help treat other seriously ill patients.

"It is definitely overwhelming to know that in my blood, there may be answers," Pinckney told The Associated Press.

Doctors around the world are dusting off a century-old treatment for infections: Infusions of blood plasma teeming with immune molecules that helped survivors beat the new coronavirus. There's no proof it will work. But former patients in Houston and New York were early donors, and now hospitals and blood centers are getting ready for potentially hundreds of survivors to follow.

"There's a tremendous call to action," said Dr. David Reich, president of New York's Mount Sinai Hospital, which declared Pinckney recovered and raced to collect her blood. "People feel very helpless in the face of this disease. And this is one thing that people can do to help their fellow human beings."

As treatments get underway, "we just hope it works," he said.

In this March 26, 2020 photo provided by Tiffany Pinckney, she donates blood for a study at a hospital in New York after recovering from COVID-19. It is definitely overwhelming to know that in my blood, there may be answers, said Pinckney, 39.

What the history books call "convalescent serum" was most famously used during the 1918 flu pandemic, and also against measles, bacterial pneumonia and numerous other infections before modern medicine came along. Why? When infection strikes, the body starts making proteins called antibodies specially designed to target that germ. Those antibodies float in survivors' blood specifically plasma, the yellowish liquid part of blood for months, even years.

When new diseases erupt and scientists are scrambling for vaccines or drugs, it's "a stopgap measure that we can put into place quickly," said Dr. Jeffrey Henderson of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, who is helping to develop a nationwide study.

This "is not a cure per se, but rather it is a way to reduce the severity of illness," Henderson said.

Doctors don't know how long survivors' antibodies against COVID-19 will persist.

But for now, "they're the safest ones on the street," said Dr. Rebecca Haley of Bloodworks Northwest in Seattle,which is working to identify donors. "We would not be making a dent in their antibody supply for themselves."

Last week, the Food and Drug Administration told hospitals how to seek case-by-case emergency permission to use convalescent plasma, and Houston Methodist Hospital and Mount Sinai jumped at the chance.

And a desperate public responded, with families taking to social media to plead on behalf of sick loved ones and people recovering asking how they could donate. According to Michigan State University, more than 1,000 people signed up with the National COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Project alone. Dozens of hospitals formed that group to spur plasma donation and research.

Would-be donors can't just show up at a blood center. Those with a proven infection who've been symptom-free for several weeks must get tested to ensure the virus is gone. They also must be healthy enough to meet the other requirements for blood donation plus get an additional test to see if their antibody level is high enough.

"You don't want to take plasma from someone who had a mediocre immune response. That wouldn't be helpful," said Dr. Julie Ledgerwood of the National Institutes of Health.

Chinese doctors last week reported that five patients given convalescent plasma all showed some improvement about a week later. But they also received other therapies, and without a rigorous study, there's no way to know if the plasma made the difference.

Studies are being planned to test convalescent plasma against regular care in sick patients, and to prevent infections among people at high risk of exposure such as health care workers.

Another approach: Spain-based plasma manufacturer Grifols aims to concentrate donor plasma in a North Carolina factory, creating a high-dose version that also would need testing.

Separately, NIH researchers are measuring survivors' antibody levels to learn how strong the vaccines under development must be to protect. Other teams, including at Beijing's Tsinghua University, are hunting which antibodies are most potent, to copy in a lab and turn into drugs.

Tiffany Pinckney poses for a portrait in the Harlem neighborhood of New York on April 1, 2020. After a period of quarantine at home separated from her children, she has recovered from COVID-19. (AP Photo/Marshall Ritzell)

But donations from people like Pinckney could be used as fast as blood centers can process it. She got sick the first week of March. First came the fever and chills. She couldn't catch her breath, and deep breathing caused chest pains. The single mother worried about her sons, 9 and 16.

"I remember being on my bathroom floor crying and praying," the 39-year-old said.

So when Mount Sinai, which diagnosed her, called Pinckney to check on her recovery and ask if she'd consider donating, she didn't hesitate.

"It's humbling. And for me, it's also a beacon of hope for someone else," she said.

Medical personnel clap and sign I love you as they look out a window at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso on Thursday. Motorists were parked outside with their headlights and hazards lights on and honked their horns to thank medical personnel for their work. The Headlights for Hope event is to show support to the medical staff and patients at hospitals during the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Liz Hall prays during an event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Savannah Nelson, 10, looks out a sunroof during an event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Medical personnel look out a hospital window during an event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Ryan Miller waves to medical personnel during an event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Chelsey Holloway holds a sign and cries during an event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. Holloway works at the hospital as OR nurse manager, but is on leave. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Medical personnel look out a hospital window during an event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Bavette and Ryan Miller wave to medical personnel during an event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Live Hall,7, waves to medical personnel during an event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Motorists wave to medical personnel during an event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Medical personnel look out a hospital window during an event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Liz Hall(left), Live Hall,7, and Mila Hall,3, wave to medical personnel during an event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Noelle Shaw signs to medical personnel through a hospital window during an event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Noelle Shaw, who organized the event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso, cries as she watches medical personnel look out the window Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Medical personnel look out a hospital window during an event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Noelle Shaw, who organized the event called Headlights for Hope at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso, cries as she walks away from the hospital after thanking medical personnel through the window on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cars parked in the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, and honked horns to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Lee Houston waves flags to thank medical personnel during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso Thursday. Cars crowded into the parking lot, turned on headlights, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work during the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Supporters cheer for medical personnel during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Medical personnel acknowledge supporters as they leave work during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso on Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Registered nurse Summer Jones wipes a tear away as she sees supporters cheer during an event called Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso on Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Summer Jones, a registered nurse, wipes away a tear as supporters cheer during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso on Thursday. Motorists crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazard lights on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Medical personnel acknowledge supporters as they leave work during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Medical personnel watch supporters cheer during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Nurse Summer Jones, RN cries as she sees supporters cheer during an event called Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Medical personnel watch supporters cheer during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Savannah Nelson,10, cheers and holds a sign to thank medical personnel during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Lee Houston waves flags to thank medical personnel during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Megan Losoncy holds a sign to thank medical personnel during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso on Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Supporters cheer medical personnel for their work during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso on Thursday. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Savannah Nelson, 10, cheers and holds a sign to thank medical personnel during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso on Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Medical personnel acknowledge supporters as they look out the window of an upper floor at Ascension St. John Owasso during Headlights for Hope Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Lee Houston waves flags to thank medical personnel during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Judi and Johnny Gray wave flags to thank medical personnel during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Lee Houston waves flags to thank medical personnel during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Live Hall,7, stands up outside of the sunroof to get a better look and to thank medical personnel during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Misty Hayden(left) and her daughter Lexi Hayden,13, cheer to thank medical personnel during Headlights for Hope at Ascension St. John Owasso Thursday, April 2, 2020. Cars crowded into the parking lot and turned headlights and hazards on, honked horns and cheered to thank medical personnel for their work in the COVID-19 outbreak. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Neergaard reported from Washington. AP National Writer Allen G. Breed in North Carolina contributed to this report.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

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Coronavirus survivors donating blood to help treat patients with COVID-19: 'We just hope it works,' doctor says - Tulsa World

(Wausau, WI) Ascension Medical Group Wisconsin is launching its next wave of drive-through testing locations for COVID-19. Starting Thursday, March 26, drive-through testing sites will be available in Plover, Rhinelander and Crandon. Additional sites are currently in development. Individuals who wish to be tested at drive-through locations must first be pre-screened by an Ascension Medical Group provider by appointment, phone, or virtually using Ascension Online Care.

Those interested in this option for testing should contact their physician office.

This screening involves a series of questions about symptoms, travel history and any potential contact with COVID-19 patients. Patients who meet the criteria, which is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, will schedule an appointment for drive-through testing at the appropriate site.The initial drive-through testing sites going into operation in central and northern Wisconsin are:

All of these drive-through testing locations will be in operation Monday Friday.

At the testing site, patients will remain in their vehicle at all times. An Ascension associate will look up the patients information in the electronic health record to confirm that they have been screened and require testing. Insurance information will be collected for follow-up purposes, if its not already entered into the electronic health record. An Ascension associate will confirm that the patient has an established Ascension provider. There is no upfront charge for the testing.

A throat culture and nasal swab samples will be collected and sent to a state-approved laboratory for analysis. Patients will be provided this information at the time of testing. The specimens collected at Ascension Wisconsins mobile testing sites are currently being sent to Quest and LabCorp. In-house labs at Ascension Wisconsin facilities are in development. This additional testing capacity will allow COVID-19 testing for a wider group of patients.Ascension Medical Group Wisconsin will contact patients with results and positive results will be alerted to the Wisconsin Department of Health.

We continue to collaborate closely with local and state health officials to ensure that community members experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 can be tested for the virus, while limiting exposure to keep the health and safety of our patients, associates and visitors a top priority, said Dr. Stewart Watson, Clinical Vice President of Ascension Medical Group Wisconsins North Region.

According to the CDC, symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild to severe and may appear 2-14 days after being exposed to the virus. Symptoms seen with the infection with COVID-19 are not specific, with cold-like symptoms in mild cases. Symptoms could include a fever, along with cough and shortness of breath. If someone is elderly or has other medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease, diabetes or cancer, they may get sicker from the virus and develop pneumonia or other lung problems. For more information on COVID-19, please visit cdc.gov.

There also is an Ascension COVID19 Hotline set up for those who have questions about COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms, or those who want to receive a text message to schedule an Ascension Online Care appointment with a provider. The toll-free number for Wisconsin is 1-833-981-0711.

# # #

About Ascension Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, Ascension operates 24 hospital campuses, more than 100 related healthcare facilities and employs more than 1,300 primary and specialty care clinicians from Racine to Eagle River. Serving Wisconsin since 1848, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is one of the leading non-profit and Catholic health systems in the U.S., operating 2,600 sites of care including 150 hospitals and more than 50 senior living facilities in 20 states and the District of Columbia. Visit http://www.ascension.org.

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Ascension-Wisconsin announces drive-thru Covid-19 testing sites - Merrillfotonews

Ascension Wisconsin plans to begin drive-through testing for COVID-19, starting with six sites in southeastern Wisconsin.(Photo: Jen Steele / Journal Sentinel)

Ascension Wisconsin said Monday that ithas begun offering drive-through testing for COVID-19at six sites in southeastern Wisconsinfor people who have been pre-screened and approved to be tested.

The siteswill be open by appointment only from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., according to the news release. The testing will be overseen by the AscensionMedical Group Wisconsin.

People who want to be tested must be pre-screened by a physician or other clinician with Ascension Medical Group, by phone or virtually.

Virtual, or video, visitsare available through Ascension Online Care.

Patients who meet the criteria based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be given an appointment for drive-through testing.

Live Updates:The latest on coronavirus in Wisconsin

Daily Digest:What you need to know about coronavirus in Wisconsin

MoreCoverage:Coronavirus in the U.S and around the world

On Friday, Aurora Health Care suspended its plansfor drive-through testing sites because of a national shortage of testing supplies.

Aurora was limiting testing to patients who met the two highest tiers in the state guidelines. Those include patients who are hospitalized or who have had exposure to a confirmed COVID-19 patient as well as health care workers with unexplained fever and symptoms of a lower-respiratory tract illness.

The health system had planned to operate a drive-throughsite at Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center in Milwaukee, followed by one at Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay.

Ascension Wisconsin is sending specimens toQuest Diagnostics and LabCorp to be processed but hopes to have in-house labs to process its own tests soon,Patricia Golden, a physician and the primary care medical director of Ascension Medical Group Wisconsin, said in a statement.Theadditional capacity will allow COVID-19 testing for a wider group of patients.

This will enable the health system to test patients with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, who are among the most vulnerable to the disease.

The testing sites are:

Additional locations will be opened later this week in Brookfield, Milwaukee, Stevens Point, Rhinelander and Crandon. Those include drive-through sites atAscension St. Joseph hospital andAscension Elmbrook hospital in Brookfield.

Patients will remain in their vehicles at the testing site and an Ascension employee will check the patients'information in the electronic health record to confirm that they have been screened.There is no upfront cost for testing, but patients will be asked to provide insurance information if it is not in the patients records.

Health insurersand Medicarehave committed to waiving the cost of the tests for people in their health plans.

Ascension Wisconsin also hasset up a hotline for people who have questions about COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms or want to receive a text message to schedule an Ascension Online Care appointment with a provider. The number is 1-833-981-0711.

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Ascension Wisconsin to begin offering drive-through COVID-19 testing at six sites - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"Right now, medical professionals across the state are forced to reuse face masks," Governor Whitmer said.

Tuesday, March 24, 2020 5:40 p.m. EDT by Will Kriss

KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) -- Due to shortages of medical supplies in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, both Ascension and Bronson hospitals are asking the public for help with donations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Bronson began accepting donations of this nature Monday. The donations are needed due to what is described as a "critical shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) and disinfecting supplies nationwide."

The following items will be accepted at five locations:

Bronson cannot accept medication, blankets, toys, clothing or other medical supplies.

In addition to these critical items, Bronson will also accept sewn face masks to conserve supplies. More information on how to do so can be found at this link.

Items that list expiration dates must be unexpired. Officials add that it is essential nobody involved in the distribution or delivery of new/unused materials have any symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath) or have recently been around someone who does.

Bronsonwill collect acceptable new/unused items from businesses, organizations and community members at the following five locations Monday through Friday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.:

In addition to Bronson needing donations, Ascension West Michigan announced Tuesday that they are in need of medical supply donations as well.

The organization will begin accepting items on March 25 using a drive-through center. The center will be located at Ascension Borgess Hospital Lawrence Education Center, located at 1521 Gull Road in Kalamazoo.

The items requested by Ascension are largely the same as Bronson:

Tuesday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a statement about the shortage of hospital supplies and PPE equipment.

Ourbrave medical professionals and first-responders are on the front lines of keeping us safe,and we must do everything we can to protect them and everyMichigander we can from the spread of COVID-19,Whitmersaid.Right now, medical professionals across the stateare forced to reuse face masks.Thisincreases the risk of spreading COVID-19 during a timewhenwe shoulddo everything we can to mitigate it.Were not getting the tools we need from the federal government, so its on all of us to work together to protect each other.

According to Whitmer's office, several Michigan businesses have begun manufacturing personal protective equipment in the last two weeks. As of Tuesday,Ford, 3M, the UAW, and GE Health Care have announced a partnership to manufacture respirators.

The most up-to-date information about the COVID-19 outbreak can be found athttps://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/and the CDC website.

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Ascension and Bronson seeking medical supply donations - Midwest Communication

WARREN, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) In response to generous community outreach and in anticipation of caring for an increasing number of coronavirus (COVID-19) patients, starting Wednesday, Ascension Southeast Michigan hospitals will have a drive-through donation site for personal protective equipment open at its Corporate Services Building located at 28000 Dequindre in Warren.

The donation box is located at the center building entrance facing Dequindre under the portico. Donations will be able to be accepted Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Supplies being accepted for donation include:

The safety of our patients, care teams and the community is our top priority as we all work to slow thetransmission of coronavirus (COVID-19) and care for all those in need. Ascension Michigan will alwaysfollow the most current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines regarding the use of personal protective equipment. We are accepting donations from businesses and members of the community as a precautionary measure for unpredictable circumstances as we work to contain thespread of COVID-19.

2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Drive-Thru Donation Site Launches At Ascension Health - CBS Detroit

MANHATTAN, Kan. (WIBW) - Ascension Via Christi in Manhattan and the Wamego Health Center are asking for the communities help with donations of masks, gloves, gowns, and shoe covers, as well as continued monetary support.

During this coronavirus pandemic, a list of supplies that could be donated by community members as a way to continue to support both facilities was released.

Some of the items could be items in your home, like nitrile gloves, and sanitization wipes, which can also be used in the medical setting.

The facilities say they will take donations of homemade fabric masks, but they ask that you make them with three layers of cotton fabric only, and can have ear-loop elastics or fabric tie-backs.

Please do not add a layer of polypropylene to the mask, as it will disintegrate in the sterilization process the masks must go through before use.

For those who want to support Ascension Via Christi and Wamego Health Center, but do not have supplies to donate, monetary contributions are also welcome for both facilities.

We can't do this alone, its going to take a community effort and we are so very thankful for you thinking of those in healthcare. Mercy Community Health Foundation and Wamego Health Foundation, Development Director, Tina Rockhold says.

For more information on where to drop off supplies, contact Tina Rockhold at tina.rockhold@ascension.org.

To make monetary donations, please visit click the name of the facility you would like to donate to: Mercy Community Health Foundation in Manhattan or Wamego Community Health Foundation in Wamego.

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Ascension Via Christi and Wamego Health Center welcome to supply donations - WIBW

ASCENSION PARISH - Congested clusters of fast-growing Ascension Parish remained extraordinarily deserted Tuesday as residents listened to Governor John Bel Edwards' stay-at-home order to avoid getting sick. The order took effect 5 p.m. Monday.Cases of coronavirus jumped by 10, from 26 to 36, in Ascension on Tuesday. There is one reported death.Highway 73 near I-10 in Prairieville is one of the most congested areas during peak times, but Tuesday the roads were empty as most people stayed home.In Gonzales, the Tanger Outlet Mall is usually bustling with savvy shoppers looking for bargains, but the parking lots were bare.Some residents are worried about family members and children getting sick, but others say they're not worried or taking any additional precautions.

Same ol' deal, one woman said.Monday, a cluster of five cases were found at a nursing home in Donaldsonville. Tuesday, Donaldsonville Mayor Leroy Sullivan said he heard rumors about cases at the nursing home all weekend long, but learned firsthand about the confirmed cases after reading a WBRZ report.Nursing home leaders said there were no additional cases as of Tuesday afternoon at the facility. However, they said they are continuing to work with the CDC, along with the state, for assistance.

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Deserted and desolate, Ascension residents heed stay-at-home order - WBRZ

Beginning March 21, Ascension Hospitals will be temporarily stopping in-person visitations, however there will be some exceptions made on a case-by-case basis.

Exceptions will include labor and delivery, neonatal intensive care and end-of-life-care.

Ascension is implementing the no in-person visitation restrictions as a continued attempt to try and limit the chance of exposure to COVID-19 by both patients and employees.

In a statement released by Ascension they stated,

"We understand that during this time it is important to stay connected to loved ones and remain aware of their status while hospitalized. We encourage any potential visitors to use alternate methods of communication to stay in contact with loved ones, such as calling, video chatting, or texting."

The hospital is recommending staying in contact through virtual visitation. Suggesting that both patient and potential visitor download apps like, Facetime, Google Hangout and Skype.

Additional changes to Ascension's restricted visitation policy include:

There is no current time-frame for when this policy will be lifted.

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Ascension temporarily stopping in-person visitation - WAOW

GONZALES Ascension Parish Assessor M.J. "Mert" Smiley Jr. has closed his offices until further notice to comply with local and state guidelines aimed at limiting the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Earlier this month, the assessor ended walk-in traffic at his offices. Now employees will be working from home but answering the office telephone numbers Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the assessor said in a statement Wednesday.

Over the past several years, the assessor said, he has upgraded his office's systems so they operate more easily online and recently added a new website application for homestead exemptions. The Assessor's Office website has a new tab for the applications, the statement says.

The new online form integrates into the Assessor's Office's existing "paperless workflow system for review and approval, which makes the entire process completely electronic," the statement says.

"Our thoughts and prayers continue to remain with those needing healing from the Coronavirus and for everyones protection from this virus," Smiley said in a statement.

The office numbers are (225) 647-8182 and (225) 473-9293. Callers can leave a message after hours. The Assessor's Office website is http://www.ascensionassessor.com

If you have questions about coronavirus, please email our newsroom at online@theadvocate.com.

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Ascension assessor closes offices, beefs up online presence - The Advocate

RACINE COUNTY Ascension Medical Group Wisconsin is developing drive-through testing sites for COVID-19, the organization announced Thursday afternoon. The first three are in Franklin, West Allis and Milwaukee, but Ascension is not publicly announced exact testing site locations.

Individuals who wish to be tested must first be prescreened by an Ascension Medical Group provider, by phone, or virtually using Ascension Online Care. For Racine County residents, they would then be directed to the nearest testing site, in Franklin.

We are working diligently with local and state health officials to operationalize these sites as quickly as possible to keep the health and safety of the communities we're privileged to serve a top priority, an Ascension spokeswoman stated.

The screening involves answering a series of questions about symptoms, travel history and any potential contact with COVID-19 patients. Patients who meet the criteria, which is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will be given an appointment for drive-through testing at the appropriate site.

There also is an Ascension COVID-19 Hotline set up for those who have questions about COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms, or those who want to receive a text message to schedule an Ascension Online Care appointment with a provider. The toll-free number for Wisconsin is 1-833-981-0711.

Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily.

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Ascension sets up first COVID-19 drive-thru test sites - Journal Times

SAINT THOMAS RUTHERFORD and Saint Thomas in Middle Tennessee:Scroll DOWN for information on TriStar StoneCrest Medical in Smyrna, TNAscension Saint Thomas Facility Visitation & Associate Screening Policies As part of a comprehensive response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Ascension Saint Thomas has evaluated our visitor policies. Our guidance addresses your safety and the safety of our associates, physicians, and community, while ensuring that we continue to deliver optimal care. Our priority is to reduce transmission and to protect people who are at higher risk for adverse health complications. Please comply with the following revised guidance, which goes into effect today (3/19/20) at 8 p.m.

Visitation Policy | Effective Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 8 p.m.

Visitors are temporarily restricted to: Virtual visitation only If you need support in the virtual visitation process, please ask your nurse or patient care technician

Exceptions to our visitation policy may be made by hospital leadership balancing the health risks and the patient's right to receive visitors.

Predefined exceptions include:

Neonatal ICU and pediatric patients; limited to one legal guardian Women giving birth; limited to one birthing partner Patients undergoing surgery/testing; limited to one visitor End of life care as determined by our care team; limited to one visitor

Mandatory Associate Screening Policy | In Effect

The COVID-19 mandatory associate screening is intended to provide additional safeguards for our patients, families, visitors and caregivers through decreased exposure to individuals who may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Effective March 17, 2020, all associates, contingent workers, aligned medical staff, volunteers, residents/students, and other healthcare workers entering our sites of care will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19.

Sites will be placed on restricted ingress for all associates, contingent workers, aligned medical staff, residents and other healthcare workers, and any authorized students and volunteers. Screeners will be stationed at designated entrances to conduct screening assessments of all individuals entering the building.

We expect the screening should take no more than a few minutes per person; however, anticipate that in some locations the volume could cause some delays. Associates not exhibiting symptoms assessed in the screening will be cleared to report to their work area and start their shift.

Associates who indicate positive for the symptoms of fever, cough or flu-like symptoms will be directed to contact the Associate Health Clinical consultation line immediately for further assessment. A triage nurse will discuss your symptoms and may refer those with symptomology consistent with COVID-19 for definitive testing.

Based upon the findings you may be directed to: (1) Remain off of work for up to 14 days with self monitoring; (2) Return to work with self monitoring; (3) Return to work with no monitoring.

Non-Associate contingent workers, aligned medical staff, volunteers, residents/students, and other healthcare workers who indicate positive for symptoms of fever, cough or flu-like symptoms will be directed to call the local Ascension Associate Health Department and their employer and/or healthcare provider as applicable. Associate Health will discuss your symptoms.

Based upon the findings you may be directed to: (1) Remain off of work for up to 14 days with self monitoring; (2) Return to work with self monitoring; (3) Return to work with no monitoring.

For off-site practice locations (eg. Ascension Medical Group practice sites) the practice manager or supervisor should ensure that all practice associates are free of fever, cough and difficulty breathing. If any practice associate screens positive for one of these screening criteria, they should follow directions as outlined above.

All visitors will be screened upon entry into the facility. No visitors under the age of 18 Screening questions will include: Do you have a fever? Do you have a cough? Do you have difficulty breathing? If the answer to any of these is "yes", the visitor will be not be allowed to enter our facility

We encourage any potential visitors to use alternate methods of communication to stay in contact with loved ones, such as calling, video chatting, or texting. Thank you for your support in adhering to these guidelines, and thank you for trusting Ascension Saint Thomas for your care.

TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center (Smyrna, TN):TriStar StoneCrest currently has a 'No Visitation' policy in effect.

There are a few exceptions and allowances to the policy, including:

Pediatric Patients: 1 parent or caregiver OB Patients: 1 birthing or care partner Outpatient Surgery or Outpatient Testing: 1 caregiver Further exceptions will be considered on a case by case basis.

Greeters will be screening at the designated entrances with a list of basic questions to help ensure that individuals who might spread the virus get the care they need while not exposing patients, staff and other guests.

During this time, visitors may want to consider alternative communication options, if available, such as phone, FaceTime, text or email.

Thank you for your help in maintaining a safe environment for our patients, colleagues and community.

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Hospital Related Policy Changes due to COVID-19 (Rutherford County and Ascension Saint Thomas Facilities) - Wgnsradio