Negative results for patient tested for COVID-19 at Cascade Medical

LEAVENWORTH – Test results are negative for a patient who tested for COVID-19 at Cascade Medical last week. The state lab reported the results Friday (3/6).

“We are relieved to learn of the test result, and we want to thank our staff for their preparedness, flexibility and compassion this week,” said Diane Blake, Chief Executive Officer.

The patient has been discharged. All staff members involved in the patient’s care have reported back to work.

As a safety precaution, Cascade Medical will continue to screen all patients upon arrival according to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control. The hospital will also maintain visitor restrictions to the Acute Care area in order to protect inpatients from outside germs.

While this is a relatively new virus, staff at Cascade Medical are trained year-round to respond to infectious diseases safely, with specialized equipment, protective gear and spaces designed for infection control. The medical center is staying current on best-practice guidelines from the CDC and Chelan-Douglas Health District.

The top priorities are:

• To prevent further spread of the virus
• Ensure a safe environment for patients and staff

A regional emergency response team is meeting weekly to coordinate COVID-19 response efforts between fire, law enforcement and emergency medical agencies.

At Mountain Meadows Senior Living Campus, staff are working with Cascade Medical and the health district to implement new safety precautions, including visitor restrictions for the next two weeks, and screening for everyone upon arrival. All residents are doing well, with no signs of COVID-19, according to a letter Mountain Meadows sent to families of residents on Friday (3/6).

On Monday (3/9), Cascade School District canceled all student and staff trips to King County, a hot spot for COVID-19, until further notice. The district will continue to do additional disinfection of all buildings, with daily disinfection for school buses.

For updates and information, visit cascademedical.org, cdc.gov or doh.wa.gov.

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Frequently asked questions about COVID-19:

How does COVID-19 spread?

According to the state Department of Health, coronaviruses are spread mainly person-to person, when an infected person coughs or sneezes on others or by close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands. It is also possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.

How severe is COVID-19?

The vast majority of people with COVID-19 will recover on their own, but a small percentage may require medical care. Elderly people and people with underlying medical conditions (including pregnancy) are at a higher risk for severe illness or complications like pneumonia.

How can I protect myself and my family?

• Wash your hands frequently, or use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Cover your cough and sneezes.
• Stay away from people who are sick
• Disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, including cell phones, keyboards and door knobs

I think I may have symptoms consistent with COVID-19. What do I do?

Anyone with concerns that they may have symptoms associated with COVID-19 – fever, cough, and shortness of breath – please call the state hotline at 1-800-525-0127. If you can’t get through to the DOH hotline, please call 509-548-5815. Whenever possible, healthcare providers prefer to begin the screening process over the phone before a patient visits in person. If necessary, they will arrange to treat you in a way that reduces the disease’s transmission.

Additional resources:

Chelan-Douglas Health District

Washington State Department of Health

Centers for Disease Control

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Cascade Medical is a nonprofit, community-owned, critical access hospital that delivers extraordinary healthcare by taking more time with each patient and their families. Centered around primary care, the medical center also provides lab and screening services; physical, occupational and speech therapy; ambulance service; emergency and acute care, and inpatient rehabilitation.