Seattle: First case of hospital-acquired COVID-19

According to John Lynch, MD, the medical director of Harbor View Medical Center’s infection prevention and control program, the Seattle hospital has reported the first case of hospital-acquired novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The patient was receiving treatment at the hospital for another condition when he is believed to have contracted the virus.

The patient, a male in his 60s, was admitted to the hospital for urgent surgery in early April. Upon his admission, he tested negative for the virus; however, prior to being discharged to a skilled nursing facility on April 14, he tested positive.

"We're going to call it a healthcare-associated infection," said Lynch. "That helps us take responsibility for it and triggers our investigations."

While he acknowledges the possibility that the patient contracted the virus before he was admitted, Lynch says it is more likely that the patient acquired the infection during his hospital stay, which lasted 14 days—the same length of time as the virus’s incubation period.

The hospital is now investigating all staff who may have interacted with the patient, and one exposed healthcare worker has since tested positive.

Source: Beckers Hospital Review