Nevadans look to telemedine services during coronavirus outbreak

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — As Governor Steve Sisolak encourages Nevadans to stay home over the next month, telemedicine professionals are seeing an influx of patients.

"Really in the past couple days we've seen the number of visits double compared to week ago," said Dr. James Wantuck, chief medical officer of PlushCare, a virtual care office.

Dr. Wantuck says his company that sees thousands of patients from across the country online every week.

"They can assess your symptoms, send prescriptions, even order lab testing if that's whats needed," he said.

Those calls have gone up about 30 percent because of the coronavirus.

"People that are worried that they might have coronavirus, or maybe they have another illness like the flu," said Dr. Wantuck.

Guadalupe Bermudez has used telemedicine services several times, and says with the coronavirus outbreak that it's been a good option.

"It's really important, because I don't have to risk taking my kids to an emergency room that might already be infected or myself," she said.

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Her boss, Tim Thomas, owns ten McDonald's restaurants throughout Las Vegas and is providing free telemedicine options for his 440 employees, along with up to seven of their family members.

"The reason we did this is because of the time that we're living in," said Thomas, who is also head of Thomas Enterprises. "Everyone's going through rough time. If average pay is $10 an hour, they can't stock up on food and the money is limited. We didn't want them to go in waiting rooms with others who are sick."

"There's a definite uptick in usage not only because of flu season, but people who would normally go to the doctor are fearful because of the coronavirus," said Gary Wood, human resources director for Thomas Enterprises. "So they're definitely using it more than ever right now."

While patients continue to use these services, doctors look to find more options during the pandemic.

"Soon we'll be able to do at home testing where we mail you a kit and swab yourself and get the results without ever having to go in," said Dr. Wantuck. "We hope to launch that in the next few weeks"

He says PlushCare is also looking at drive thru clinic options where you can get swabbed and tested for the coronavirus.

Dr. Wantuck says if you are feeling severely ill, contact 911 or go to the emergency room.