Second SWVA Mental Health Institute employee tests positive for COVID-19
A VA Dept. of Behavioral Health and Development Services spokesperson has confirmed a second Southwestern VA Mental Health Institute employee has tested positive for COVID-19.
Meghan Mcguire with the department says details are limited regarding the case, but officials say they are continuing to work with the state health department to identify those that may have come into contact with the employee that tested positive.
A statement says no patients at the health institute have major symptoms and the department is working to prevent cases as well as planning for what to do should there be one. All staff members have been issued N95 masks, and all DBHDS hospitals have restricted visitors.
Below is the full statement:
We can confirm that two staff members at Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute (SWVMHI) tested positive for COVID-19. We cannot reveal any further details about the staff members, but they are in our thoughts and we hope for a full recovery as quickly as possible.
Hospital staff is working closely with the Virginia Department of Health. We are currently identifying and contacting those who had close proximity so they can monitor their symptoms. N95 masks have been issued for all staff who have direct patient care. These have been distributed with instructions for proper use. Since March 14, DBHDS hospitals statewide have restricted all visitors and have been screening employees prior to each shift and monitoring for associated signs and symptoms of COVID-19 in patients.
There are currently no patients at SWVMHI with major symptoms but we are working to prevent possible cases and planning for what to do should there be one. This includes following CDC guidelines for health care organizations, restricted visitation policies, further increased infection control measures, and social distancing practices with staff and patients to minimize risk of exposure. Also, we are preparing for how to isolate any individuals should there be positive COVID-19 case(s).
We are also taking every opportunity to decompress our hospital census and rapidly arrange for community based services for those who can be safely discharged because living in a congregate setting can increase risk. Finally, we are doing everything we can to procure additional PPE, such as masks, gloves, gowns, etc, which is an extreme challenge in the national shortage of PPE.
