Coronavirus Precautions: Trinitas Medical Center Screens Visitors

ELIZABETH, NJ — Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth is screening visitors to protect people from the new coronavirus. One confirmed case has been reported in Union County as of Tuesday morning, where a 48-year-old from Berkeley Heights developed symptoms was hospitalized at Overlook Medical Center in Summit.

"We are screening all patients and visitors for fever and respiratory symptoms and to determine any recent travel outside of the United States. Any of our staff who report recent travel outside the country are being referred to the Employee Health department for screening and monitoring. Education and guidance is being given to staff and departments about preventive actions, cleaning measures and what to do in the event of an influx of sick patients," said Doug Harris, spokesman for Trinitas.

All visitors (including vendors, students, anyone who is coming into the Medical Center) are asked a series of questions including:

• Do you have a fever, cough or shortness of breath?
• Did you travel to China, Japan, South Korea, Iran or Italy within the past 14 days? Or did you have contact with someone who has been infected with COVID-19?

If visitors answer yes to both they cannot enter the Medical Center. They are directed to go home if sick and to call their private physician for further evaluation and instructions.

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As of Tuesday, the first death of a new coronavirus patient was reported in New Jersey. The fatality was among four new cases identified Tuesday, raising the state's total to 15. (See Related: First NJ Coronavirus Death; Total Cases Rise To 15: Governor)

Click here to see an interactive map of the latest U.S. coronavirus cases.

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