FLOYD COUNTY, Ga. — A woman at the Floyd County Medical Center has preliminarily tested positive for coronavirus COVID-19, according to an official press release.
The 46-year-old woman initially showed flu-like symptoms last Saturday afternoon, Feb. 29 during her first visit to the center. Officials said the woman was screened according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) guidelines and did not meet the testing criteria for coronavirus so she was treated and released according to policy.
The woman returned three days later after her symptoms got worse, and although she still did not meet the criteria for COVID-19, the medical staff made the decision to admit her due to her worsening condition.
The release goes on to say the woman has been placed in isolation and additional testing is being performed. Final results from the CDC are expected to arrive within the coming days, according to the release from Floyd Medical Center.
Caregivers for the woman have been notified as advised by DPH. Officials from Floyd Medical Center said they are also notifying, "all patients who may have had contact with any of these caregivers or who may have been in the ER at the time the patient was present in order to instruct them on next steps and address concerns."
Officials believe the risk of exposure is low. They said Floyd Medical Center is still safe for current and incoming patients.
"The public can be assured that it is safe to seek care at Floyd. We have the facilities and the expertise to care for those patients while protecting the safety of all of our patients, visitors and employees. Floyd has negative pressure isolation rooms with specialized ventilation systems. Our staff participates in drills and training routinely to maintain a state of continual readiness, and our caregivers use personal protective equipment when caring for any patient suspected of having an infectious disease," the release stated.
In a statement, Gov. Brian Kemp said DPH was awaiting confirmation from the CDC after testing was completed by the Georgia Public Health Laboratory on Thursday.
“The CDC has not confirmed initial test results for this patient. DPH officials have requested expedited processing for an official determination. To prevent the spread of incomplete or inaccurate information, we encourage Georgians to rely on guidance from the CDC, the DPH, and my office. We will continue to provide regular updates to keep the public informed and ensure the health and safety of families across our state.”
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