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A Central Vermont Medical Center provider has tested positive for COVID-19. The provider has been in self-isolation since experiencing symptoms, but previously interacted with patients and staff.
A patient was identified as positive for COVID a week ago Friday.
The hospital has traced and notified staff and patients of possible exposure. All of those contacts have been asked to self-quarantine and monitor symptoms for 14 days, as recommended by the Vermont Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Anna Tempesta Noonan, president of Central Vermont Medical Center, said hospital staff is working around the clock to protect employees and patients to limit further exposure to the coronavirus.
“This news hits very close to home for our team here and we are hopeful this individual will make a full and complete recovery,” Noonan said. “This situation highlights the unusual challenge of this virus. People can be asymptomatic, meaning they feel well and are not presenting with symptoms of COVID-19, while they may have contracted the virus.”
Central Vermont Medical Center will begin screening staff tomorrow — all employees will be asked about COVID-like symptoms and will have respiratory screening and temperatures taken. All non-essential surgeries and procedures have been canceled to reduce exposure to staff and patients and to prepare for surge capacity need, according to Elliott Bent, spokesperson for the hospital.
The hospital has been screening patients and visitors for the coronavirus this week. Visitors have limited access to the hospital except for very specific circumstances.
The second Vermonter testing positive at the hospital in Berlin comes on the heels of a spike in infections. Vermont now has 29 confirmed cases — more than triple the number reported a week ago.
