Mount Nittany Health confirms employee tested positive for coronavirus
A Mount Nittany Health employee tested positive for the new coronavirus, the health care system announced Friday.
The unidentified employee, who worked at one of Mount Nittany’s outpatient practices, has been at home since their symptoms were recognized, the organization said in a statement.
Mount Nittany completed a “detailed review” to determine any potential patient exposure and “completed appropriate followup as needed,” the organization said.
Any coworkers who were potentially exposed were notified and are being monitored. The test was received Thursday evening, Mount Nittany said.
Mount Nittany, citing federal privacy laws, declined to release additional information about the employee’s status.
“The health and safety of our community, patients and staff is our highest priority,” Mount Nittany Health Chief Medical Officer Nirmal Joshi said in a statement. “We continue to follow guidelines from the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and (Pennsylvania Department of Health) to treat patients and prevent the transmission of infection within our facilities.”
There have been 11 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Centre County. There are 2,218 cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania as of noon Friday, the state Health Department reported.
Of the state’s 67 counties, 50 have had a confirmed case of the coronavirus. Two counties reported their first case Friday, including neighboring Union County.
Six more people died of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 22. No Centre County residents have died of COVID-19.
Statewide, 21,016 patients tested negative for COVID-19.
Centre County reported its first case March 20. Penn State confirmed Tuesday its first case on the University Park campus.
Those experiencing symptoms — like fever, cough and shortness of breath — or those who may have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 is encouraged to call their physician.
“I also want to reinforce the vital role that each person plays in contributing to managing the spread of COVID-19,” Joshi said. “Please remember to wash your hands often; do not touch your face, nose, mouth, or eye; clean surfaces frequently and stay home as much as possible to reduce your risk of being exposed. It is essential that we work together as a community.”
This story was originally published March 27, 2020 at 2:28 PM.