An employee of Cogdell Memorial Hospital recently traveled to an area in the United States where COVID-19 cases were later confirmed. The individual had no known exposure to any of these cases. However, out of an abundance of caution, the individual self-isolated and was tested for the COVID-19 virus. “The test results were received today and we have confirmed the individual tested negative for the virus. There was no COVID-19 virus exposure to the public from this person,” stated Dr. Bid Cooper, local Health Authority for Scurry County.
For the past seven weeks, local health officials have been meeting and closely monitoring information about the COVID-19 Virus that has spread through several areas of the world. Cogdell Memorial Hospital Chief Nursing Officer, Kathy Goodwin stated, “We are monitoring the changes daily and adjusting our workflow to meet the recommendations of the CDC.” A Scurry County Coronavirus Task Force has been established and is meeting multiple times a week. The task force consists of over 15 professionals including staff members from Cogdell Memorial Hospital, EMS, Scurry County Health Unit, and Snyder ISD. Dana Hartman, Director of the Scurry County Health Unit stated, “This is a county-wide effort. We are all pooling our resources to be prepared.” Kristen Perez, Infection Prevention Nurse for Cogdell Memorial Hospital stated, “Just as with the flu and other respiratory illnesses handwashing, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, disinfecting high-touch surfaces, and staying home when you are sick, are simple but effective measures of prevention”
For more information on the COVID-19 virus, please visit the CDC website.
