From Mary Washington Healthcare:
Mary Washington Healthcare says they are treating their first positive COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) patient at Stafford Hospital. (It’s the second positive case in the area. A man was diagnosed last week at Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center.)
“Our planning, rehearsing, educating, and training have prepared us to care for patients with infectious disease, including COVID-19. We knew it was a matter of when, not if, we would have a positive case,” said Christopher Newman, MD, Chief Operations Officer and Chief Medical Officer for Mary Washington Healthcare.
Mary Washington Healthcare will not give personal information regarding any person’s under investigation or positive COVID-19 patients in our care. The safety and privacy of our patients, staff, and medical professionals are our first priorities.
Patients experiencing mild respiratory illness symptoms are encouraged to reach out to their primary care physician. Mary Washington Healthcare’s Health Link nurse triage team is available seven days a week from 6 a.m. to midnight to assist with determining the best level of care for your symptoms. The nurses can be reached by calling 540.741.1000.
Most patients will experience mild symptoms, often able to self-quarantine in their homes. However, if you or a loved one is experiencing serious or life-threatening illness, please go to the nearest emergency room.
We encourage our community to take important steps to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19. Here are some tips from the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html).
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Consider using a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer if you do not have access to soap and water.
- Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick.
- Practice social distancing, keeping up to 6-feet between yourself and others when in public such as standing in line at the store.
- Avoid attending events, concerts, or meetings with 50 or more people. Avoid crowded restaurants or bars where you cannot practice social distancing.
- Stay home if you are sick. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve. Wash your hands with soap and water after you cough or sneeze.
- If you do need to seek care when sick, wear a facemask when in the hospital, urgent care, or doctor’s office. You do not need a facemask if you are not sick.
- Clean common surfaces daily. These include doorknobs, phones, bathrooms, keyboards, countertops, light switches. Clean or remove commonly touched items, like books, magazine, and remote controls.
