El Centro Regional Medical Center Announces Possible Case of COVID-19
EL CENTRO, CA- March 8, 2020- El Centro Regional Medical Center announced today that a patient has met criteria for testing for the COVID-19 in Imperial Valley. The patient, a female in her 70s, came to the hospital’s emergency room Sunday morning with a complaint of side pain. The patient had recently returned from Florida. We promptly followed established protocols by CDPH and CDC, and the patient was masked and isolated.
ECRMC staff followed proper protocols by immediately contacting the hospital’s infection prevention nurse who then contacted the Imperial County Public Health Department (ICPHD). Staff from the ICPHD provided a test kit that was used on the patient, and then sent to an approved lab for testing. Results of the test will be available within 48 hours. No further information about the patient will be provided at this time.
“Last week local county officials declared a local health emergency in response to the COVID-19 virus, although at the time there were no known cases of the disease in the county, but the declaration does help mobilize resources when needed” said Dr. Adolphe Edward, chief executive officer at ECRMC. “This action, and the action of our staff on Friday to inspect emergency equipment, prepares ECRMC to quickly respond to this disease,” said Edward. At ECRMC we are following isolation precautions and ECRMC will be limiting visitors. Those precautions started last week.
ECRMC is collaborating closely with ICPHD and local officials to ensure our staff, and community members are kept informed on the status of COVID-19 within our community. ICPHD is recommending the following steps as best practice to prevent respiratory illness:
- Wash hands often with soap and water
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- Stay home when you are sick
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Cover your cough or sneeze
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
For general information about COVID-19, the public is encouraged to visit the Imperial County Public Health Department’s website at www.icdhd.org, or the California Department of Public Health website at www.cdph.ca.gov. The public is encouraged to follow the Department’s official social media platforms for the most updated information
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El Centro Regional Medical Center
El Centro Regional Medical Center is an acute-care medical center, serving the health care needs of the Imperial Valley since 1956. In addition to the 161-bed hospital, ECRMC also owns and operates the Oncology & Hematology of Imperial Valley, Wound Healing Center and outpatient clinics in El Centro and Calexico. The outpatient centers provide exceptional primary and specialty care for residents seeking enhanced well-being and improved quality of life.