Shannon Medical Center’s Dr. Kelly Koenig said the hospital has seen a significant increase in positive cases compared to this time last year.
SAN ANGELO, Texas — With the flu causing school closures in recent weeks, healthcare providers have had to react to an uptick in cases.
On Wednesday, Shannon Medical Center will open a flu, strep and COVID swab drive-thru clinic at its north clinic, located at 2626 N. Bryant Blvd. The clinic will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.
Shannon’s Chief Medical Officer Kelly Koenig said the change will allow the hospital to more effectively treat patients – with an increase in flu cases in both the urgent care and emergency departments.
Meanwhile, La Esperanza Clinic has been working to effectively treat patients when its primary care providers are forced to stay home – whether they themselves or their children fall ill.
“We provide a good medical home complex here,” Chief Medical Officer Josiah Ward said. “Providers will cross-cover each other… we will redistribute their appointments throughout the schedule for other covering providers.”
Both Koenig and Ward encourage safe practices like consistent handwashing to prevent the spread of disease. Koenig said there have been significantly more positive flu tests at Shannon than at this time in 2024.