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COVID-19 Update

NAPLES, Fla. – March 15, 2020 – NCH Healthcare System (NCH) has confirmation from the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) that a patient has tested positive for COVID-19.

The patient arrived at the hospital on March 11 in the ER and was admitted. NCH followed FDOH and CDC guidelines, and the patient was isolated on March 13 when the patient met the criteria for isolation. The patient is currently in isolation at a NCH facility.

NCH is prevented by federal privacy laws from releasing any details about our patients. FDOH is investigating travel history and opportunities for exposure and will be responsible for communicating details of the case, if appropriate.

Employees and others who have come into contact with the patient are being evaluated. No NCH employees have shown signs of infection, but are being notified of the positive patient case, and exposed employees will be in quarantine for the next 14 days. Quarantined employees that were exposed to the patient case will be on paid leave.

NCH has been monitoring the spread of COVID-19 and has prepared the health system for an eventual case. The established plans and protocols are being followed at this time to limit any further exposure. Our team has the appropriate training, supplies and equipment in place and we are following the FDOH guidelines closely. We will also provide additional protective equipment to front line employees including ambulatory and in-patient facilities. We continue to service our community and NCH facilities remain open.

We are also restricting all visitors effective immediately, with the exception of end of life situations. This is in an abundance of caution and to avoid additional traffic to our healthcare facilities.

“As we continue to learn more about COVID-19, we are taking every precaution necessary to protect our patients and staff,” said Paul Hiltz, CEO, NCH Healthcare System. “Our top priority is the health and wellbeing of our community.”

NCH will conduct a press conference March 16 at 4 p.m. for all media and will continue to notify the public with additional information when it becomes available.

As we continue to learn more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), we will update our community. Please visit www.NCHMD.org for commonly asked questions regarding COVID-19. We’ve included information about our response plans, COVID-19 testing and information about our collaboration with community agencies.