Coronavirus patient in Muscogee County is hospitalized in Columbus, official says
Muscogee County has reported its first confirmed coronavirus case, according to state health officials.
The information was first published by the Georgia Department of Public Health in its daily status update Thursday. No other information was provided by the state, but St. Francis Hospital spokeswoman Becky Young confirmed to the Ledger-Enquirer that the COVID-19 patient is one of its patients.
“This patient is currently in isolation at our hospital,” she said in an email 2:30 p.m. Thursday. “We are continuing to work closely with the Georgia Department of Public Health and following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure the safety of our patients, the clinical teams who have been caring for this patient and all those within our facility.”
Young told the L-E that federal health privacy law prohibits her from disclosing the patient’s demographics, symptoms or condition, as well as the circumstances that led to the diagnosis.
“We are implementing strict visitor restrictions, moving to a zero-visitor protocol,” Young said. “We have already limited entry to the hospital as well. . . . Per CDC guidelines, everyone entering our facility will be screened for respiratory symptoms and travel history. . . . We want to reassure our communities that it is safe to come to the hospital should you or your family need care..”
Georgia has 287 COVID-19 cases as of March 19. Pamela Kirkland, spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Public Health’s West Central Health District, was unable to provide further information before publication.
This is a breaking news story and will updated as information comes available.
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 12:02 PM.