Clinic suspends service over possible coronavirus cases

Last edited 12:48 p.m., March 12, 2020

A local clinic has suspended operations over possible coronavirus contamination among employees, though the Springfield-Greene County Health Department has not confirmed any cases.

Dr. Gilbert Mobley, aka Dr. Gil, posted a news release on Facebook indicating his clinic, Dr. Gil’s Immediate Care, temporarily closed its doors yesterday at the end of business. The clinic is located at 3000 E. Division St., near U.S. Highway 65.

“It’s very possible that we have coronavirus among two of our employees,” Mobley said in the Facebook post. “Two are down, seriously. One with bad fevers and chills, the other with significant chest congestion and tightness. Both are young.”

Reached this morning, Springfield-Greene County Health Department spokeswoman Kathryn Wall said there have been no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Greene County.

The release from Dr. Gil’s Immediate Care pointed to a face mask shortage for clinic use.

“As diseases spread through communities and the world, they spread largely through transportation centers and medical facilities. We’re both,” Mobley said in the release. “There have been no N95 masks for clinics to use throughout the United States for months.

“As an occupational clinic, we see hundreds of (Department of Transportation) physicals from every state throughout the continental United States.”

Reached this morning, Mobley said his two employees still are exhibiting symptoms of coronavirus. Wall said the Health Department does not yet have testing available. Once it is, it would not be open to the public, she said.

The clinic will reopen once its officials determine employees and patients are safe from coronavirus, according to the release.

Dr. Gil’s Immediate Care’s services include treatment of acute injuries, physicals, and drug and alcohol screens. It’s operated for 25 years.

Earlier this month, the Springfield-Greene County Health Department formed a task force to prepare for the potential of coronavirus impacting the area. The task force on Monday announced children ages 12 and under who are not seeking medical treatment will not be permitted to visit Greene County hospitals or long-term care facilities until further notice, according to a news release.