Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) was notified on Sunday that a patient has tested positive for COVID-19, the novel coronavirus that reached pandemic proportiins.
The has patient is currently being treated at Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton.
“Our physicians, nurses and other staff are following all guidelines from the CDC to provide the best possible care,” said Anthony Williamson, president of NGMC Braselton. “That includes keeping the patient in a negative pressure room, wearing personal protective equipment and following all recommended cleaning procedures to help keep the patient and all others in the hospital safe. People in our community should continue coming to NGMC Braselton for care as they
need it.”
EXTRA PRECAUTIONS IMPLEMENTED
Only select entrances will be open for patients and visitors at each NGMC hospital starting Sunday afternoon Each patient and visitor will be screened for COVID-19 as they enter. You can see a complete list of open entrances, updated visitation limitations and
other helpful information at www.nghs.com/covid-19.
“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,” said 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,” Mannepalli said.
Physicians and hospital leadership are reviewing scheduled, elective surgeries. Hospital staff will contact patients if a surgery is canceled. If you have concerns about your scheduled surgery, contact your physician’s office.
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,” said 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,” she said.
DIRECTIONS FROM HOSPITAL STAFF ON THOSE WITH SYMPTOMS:
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 COVID-19 in our region:
Call before you come
• intact 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, Call the office before you leave your house.
• Calling 911 is always the fastest and most efficient way to get proper treatment for medical emergencies.
Consider staying home and completing an E-Visit.
• We have updated our online E-Visits to ask screening questions that may indicate if you have the coronavirus.
• Visit www.ngpg.org/evisit-info for instructions about how tocomplete an E-Visit from the comfort of your home.