Two patients at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Braselton have now tested positive for COVID-19. They’re the first two confirmed cases of coronavirus in Hall County.
Late Sunday night, Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) issued an update to an earlier announcement stating that it was notified a second patient tested positive for the virus. Both patients are currently being treated at NGMC Braselton. Based on legal advice, a hospital spokesman says they are not releasing any other information about the affected patients at this time.
“Our physicians, nurses and other staff are following all guidelines from the CDC to provide the best possible care,” says Anthony Williamson, president of NGMC Braselton. “That includes keeping the patients in a negative pressure room, wearing personal protective equipment and following all recommended cleaning procedures to help keep the patients and all others in the hospital safe. People in our community should continue coming to NGMC Braselton for care as they need it.”
In response, NGHS placed further visitation restrictions at its hospitals in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder, and Dahlonega. The hospitals already had limited the number and age of visitors. Now, only select entrances are open for patients and visitors at NGMC locations. Each patient and visitor will be screened for COVID-19 as they enter.
“These simple screening questions will help us protect all of our patients, visitors and employees as we try to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our communities,” says Dr. Supriya Mannepalli, medical director of Infection Prevention & Control for NGMC. “If a visitor is suspected for COVID-19, we will provide them with next steps to follow for testing.”
Physicians and hospital leadership are reviewing scheduled, elective surgeries. Hospital staff will contact patients if surgery is canceled. The health system advises patients to contact their physicians’ offices if they have concerns about a scheduled surgery.
Cafeterias at all NGMC hospitals will continue to serve food, but all dining areas are closed until further notice. That means patients, visitors and employees may purchase food to take back to waiting areas, patient rooms, break rooms, etc.
“These decisions are being made with safety in mind,” says Carol Burrell, president & CEO of NGHS. “Our top priority is always the safety of our patients, visitors, employees, physicians and others who rely on and support NGHS.”
For a complete list of open entrances at NGMC hospitals, as well as other useful information, visit www.nghs.com/covid-19.
There are now at least four confirmed cases of coronavirus in Northeast Georgia. Two in Hall County and two in Clarke County.
As of noon Sunday, March 15, the Georgia Department of Public Health reported 99 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state, mostly centered in the northwest region. There also are a number of confirmed cases being treated in South Georgia.
One person has died from coronavirus COVID-19 in Georgia since the outbreak began two weeks ago.
Symptoms to watch out for
If you have a fever and cough or difficulty breathing, these steps will help you find the care you need and limit the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in our region:
Call before you come
- Please call your doctor’s office or an urgent care clinic for advice about where you should go for treatment.
- If you already have an appointment scheduled and have recently traveled to an area affected by Coronavirus, please call the office before you leave your house.
Call 9-1-1 for emergencies
- Calling 9-1-1 is always the fastest and most efficient way to get proper treatment for medical emergencies.
Consider staying home and completing an E-Visit
- NGHS has updated its online E-Visits to ask screening questions that may indicate if you have Coronavirus.
- Visit www.ngpg.org/evisit-info for instructions about how to complete an E-Visit from the comfort of your home.
This article has been updated to include the two confirmed cases in Clarke County
