Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Both Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and Kaleida Health are dealing with instances of inpatient cases of Coronavirus.
Roswell learned Tuesday that two patients who have recently received inpatient care at Roswell Park have tested positive for COVID-19.
The tests were conducted at the request of Roswell Park physicians, and processed at the Erie County Public Health Lab. Both patients have been notified of their test results.
Roswell Park senior leaders and medical staff are immediately implementing the next level of planned protective actions called for in the cancer center’s COVID-19 response:
• Reducing the number of people, including employees, on the Roswell Park campus
• Screening employees who will be accessing Roswell Park clinical buildings
• Continuing to screen all patients and visitors
• Restricting visitors from entering inpatient units; one visitor per patient is permitted in outpatient clinical areas
• Rescheduling elective surgeries and non-urgent outpatient appointments
• Implementing telemedicine options where possible
Meanwhile, Kaleida Health has confirmed the first inpatient case of Coronavirus in the area.
The Erie County Department of Health Tuesday notified Kaleida Health that a positive COVID-19 result came back on a patient who was evaluated at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital on Monday.
Details of Kaleida Health’s first coronavirus inpatient case:
The patient is in good condition and is recovering in an isolation room at Suburban.
The patient did not come in contact with any other patients at Suburban.
The hospital staff who examined her and continue to treat her are using all appropriate measures to avoid potential exposure to the virus. This includes use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
This patient works in management at the Visiting Nursing Association (VNA) of Western New York, a Kaleida Health affiliate.
In her management capacity, the patient had no contact with VNA patients at any time over the past 14 days.
In her work capacity, the patient did have contact with co-workers at the VNA corporate office over the past 14 days.
Kaleida Health and the VNA are working with the ECDOH to determine tracing potential contacts of the patient.
“Our first confirmed inpatient case of COVID-19 is tangible proof that our nurses, physicians and staff were well-prepared and followed all of the appropriate protocols,” said Ken Snyder, MD, PhD, chief physician quality officer for Kaleida Health. “We cannot thank them enough for their commitment to patient and employee safety at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital.”