Coronavirus update: What you need to know about COVID-19 on Friday, March 13, 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is responding to an outbreak of a respiratory illness called COVID-19 caused by a new coronavirus first detected in Wuhan, China. At particular risk are the elderly and those with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems.
In an effort to keep the community informed, STHS officials – who are continuously in contact with the Louisiana Office of Public Health and the CDC regarding COVID-19 – have issued the following information for Friday (March 13).
To-date, the state of Louisiana has confirmed 33 presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in-state, including one being treated at St. Tammany Parish Hospital. As of Friday morning, that case – one of six STHS patients meeting state criteria for testing to-date -- was the only positive case at STHS. The other five tested negative for COVID-19.
In total, St. Tammany Parish has two positive cases, the other being in the Slidell area. The majority of in-state cases – 23 – are in Orleans Parish, according to state-provided figures.
No Louisiana deaths have been reported due to COVID-19.
The STHS outlook: St. Tammany Health System is prepared for COVID-19 in our communities. The following actions are among those that have been put into place:
- A system-wide protocol has been enacted at each of our facilities for the screening and isolation of any patient suspected of having the disease.
- In keeping with a Louisiana Department of Health order issued Thursday, STHS is prohibiting non-essential visitors to St. Tammany Parish Hospital for 30 days.
- We are recommending patient video visits and other alternatives for in-person doctor’s appointments.
- For suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases, we are implementing all appropriate isolation and protective measures outlined by the CDC and follow their guidelines for hospital personnel and visitors. Additionally, we will immediately notify the proper parties, including the Louisiana State Epidemiologist, the Office of Public Health and the CDC for their authorization to test any suspected cases. (Testing is currently being performed with authorization from the Louisiana Office of Public Health.)
- We have performed drills at access points to ensure the safety of STHS personnel and visitors.
- We continue to gather the latest information from the CDC, OPH and World Health Organization. We will update our processes as directed by the CDC and OPH.
The national outlook: As of midday Thursday (March 12), the CDC was reporting 1,215 confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 in the United States since Jan. 21, including 36 deaths in 42 states plus the District of Columbia. That’s up from day-earlier figures of 938 confirmed cases, including 29 deaths, in 38 states plus the District of Columbia.
The global outlook: As of Thursday (March 12), World Health Organization figures showed 125,048 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported globally in 117 countries or territories, resulting in 4,613 deaths. The majority of cases to date have occurred in China, which has reported 80,981 cases and 3,173 resulting fatalities.
At your home: St. Tammany Heath System infection prevention officials recommend the following preventative steps:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap, water and friction. If soap is not available, use hand sanitizer.
- Cover your mouth or nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or cough or sneeze into your upper arm, not your hands.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces with 1:10 bleach product or an alcohol-based cleanser containing more than 60 percent alcohol.
- If you have a fever over 100.4 degrees, a cough or congestion, stay home.
Additional information can be found at stph.org/COVID-19; by calling the state’s 211 health information line; or by calling the St. Tammany Health System’s pre-recorded COVID-19 information line at (985) 773-1699, which is updated with new information as warranted.
Monitor STPH.org/COVID-19 for coronavirus updates.
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