IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics are treating a patient with a severe case of the COVID-19.
KCRG reports that officials did not have an update on the patient's condition as of Wednesday morning, and that it's unclear if the patient is new or connected to any one of the 12 confirmed cases from the same Egyptian cruise.
13 Iowans have tested positive for the coronavirus, 46 have tested negative and 27 tests are still pending, the Iowa Department of Public Health announced Tuesday evening.
"We always balance respect and privacy of individuals with sharing information that the public needs to know to act on to protect their health," said Dr. Caitlin Pedati, state medical director and epidemiologist at the Iowa Department of Public Health. "As we learn more, if there are important messages that we need to share, we'll certainly do that. We've done that in the past and we'll continue to do that."
The University of Iowa Hospital Clinics released a statement on Wednesday regarding the patient, emphasizing that their top priority is keeping patients and staff safe at the hospital.
"With more Iowans testing positive for influenza and the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), we remain prepared to treat those who need our medical care while keeping our patients, employees, students, and trainees safe."
The hospital confirmed that they are currently caring for a patient with COVID-19.
We are currently caring for a patient with COVID-19. The patient is in isolation, which means that other patients are kept at a safe distance, and those caring for this individual are properly protected, the statement said.
The hospital was aware of the patient's illness before they arrived at the hospital. Staff were had "the appropriate measures in place."
Staff will continue to follow the advice of the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Iowa Department of Public Health, and our clinical experts.
Currently, visitors are limited to two adults (age 18 and older) per patient in most circumstances, the hospital said. They assured they will take the appropriate steps, which may include visitor restricting and screening those who enter the hospital.
The hospital is stressing the need for everyone to play a role in keeping their community safe by practicing good hygiene:
- Use a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing to cover your mouth and nose.
- Wash your hands often. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds. You can also use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
