Mary Washington Healthcare Treating Its First Coronavirus Patient

STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — Mary Washington Healthcare is treating its first novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, patient at its Stafford Hospital, the hospital system said Sunday night. Citing patient confidentiality, the hospital said it will not give personal information about any person in its care who is being treated for the coronavirus.

At around noon Sunday, the Virginia Department of Health increased the number of confirmed cases in the state to 45 from the 41 cases reported Saturday. The state health department has not reported any positive coronavirus cases in Stafford County. Three cases have been reported in Prince William County and one case in Spotsylvania County.

“Our planning, rehearsing, educating, and training have prepared us to care for patients with infectious disease, including COVID-19," Christopher Newman, chief operations officer and chief medical officer for Mary Washington Healthcare, said in a statement. "We knew it was a matter of when, not if, we would have a positive case."

Mary Washington Healthcare’s Health Link nurse triage team is available daily from 6 a.m. to midnight to assist people with determining the best level of care for their symptoms. The nurses can be reached at 540-741-1000.

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Mary Washington Healthcare provided tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Consider using a 60 percent alcohol-based hand sanitizer if you do not have access to soap and water.
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick.
• Practice social distancing, keeping up to six-feet between yourself and others when in public such as standing in line at the store.
• Avoid attending events, concerts, or meetings with 50 or more people. Avoid crowded restaurants or bars where you cannot practice social distancing.
• Stay home if you are sick. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve. Wash your hands with soap and water after you cough or sneeze.
• If you do need to seek care when sick, wear a facemask when in the hospital, urgent care, or doctor’s office. You do not need a facemask if you are not sick.
• Clean common surfaces daily. These include doorknobs, phones, bathrooms, keyboards, countertops, light switches. Clean or remove commonly touched items, like books, magazine, and remote controls.

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