Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) can confirm that a 78-year- old female from Pike County has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus at the Tug Valley ARH Regional Medical Center.
The patient had been discharged from another area hospital on April 2. On Monday, the patient presented in the Tug Valley ARH Emergency Department. Here, the patient was tested for COVID-19 and admitted to the ICU where they remain at this time.
Due to patient privacy laws, and out of respect for this patient and their family, we will not release any additional identifying details about the patient.
This is the fourth positive test for the 13-hospital ARH system since the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in the US
To date, ARH has processed 425 COVID-19 tests. Of these tests, four have been positive, 364 were negative and 57 are still awaiting results from the labs where they are being processed.
“ARH is committed to being as transparent as possible to keep our communities safe and informed as we move through this rapidly evolving situation that COVID-19 has become. We want our public to be fully aware if there is a case in their community so they can take additional measures to protect themselves and those around them,” says Dr. Maria Braman, ARH Chief Medical Officer.
Tug Valley ARH Community CEO Jeremy Hall said staff at Tug Valley ARH have received extensive training on the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in preparation for the spread of COVID-19.
“Our staff here at Tug Valley ARH are very prepared to handle these cases and during testing our medical staff took every precaution and followed the appropriate Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protocols to prevent exposure to staff and other patients,” he said. “Due to these measures, no staff or patients were exposed nor require self-isolating.”
Hall encourages the public play its part in helping control the spread of COVID-19 by limiting exposure to others and practicing the CDC recommendations for social distancing and hand-washing practices.
ARH understands this is a stressful time for our communities and has developed both COVID-19 website and Hotline.
The ARH COVID-19 Hotline is open from 7a.m to 11 p.m., 7 days a week, to field questions regarding COVID-19 symptoms, testing and prevention. The Hotline can be reached at 606-439-7100. For the most accurate and current ARH COVID-19 updates and information, call the ARH COVID-19 Hotline or Visit www.ARHCOVID19.com.