Muscogee County’s two confirmed coronavirus cases have connections to Fort Benning
Editor’s note: This article has been updated with information regarding Muscogee County’s second reported case of COVID-19.
Fort Benning authorities have released more details regarding Muscogee County’s first and second reported cases of COVID-19.
Georgia health officials confirmed the county’s first case on Thursday and the second in Saturday’s 7 p.m. update.
Benning in a news release Saturday said the newest patient is a Benning “family member” who traveled overseas and returned to Georgia in early March.
Upon showing symptoms of the coronavirus infection, the patient contacted Martin Army Community Hospital’s NurseAdvice Line, and was told to come to the emergency room for a screening.
The patient was tested and has quarantined at home since March 12, the release said. The test results came back positive Saturday.
The first local COVID-19 case was confirmed Thursday by Columbus’ St. Francis Hospital, where that patient is currently under treatment in the Intensive Care Unit. Martin Army on its Facebook page Saturday said the patient was transferred from its hospital to the St. Francis ICU but did not specifiy when.
“Immediately upon notification of positive COVID-19 test results from St Francis Emory Healthcare, those staff members identified in providing medical care to the patient were placed in mandatory quarantine to protect other hospital staff, patients, and families,” said the Facebook post.
Martin Army also notified those who may have been in contact with the patient and said anyone who may need further evaluation “will receive the appropriate level of case as prescribed by the CDC,” according to the Facebook post.
This story was originally published March 21, 2020 at 7:12 PM.