Charles George VA Medical Center Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19

A Charles George VA Medical Center employee tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19) on March 22, 2020.

In accordance with CDC guidelines and the employee’s status, the individual is currently in-home isolation, mitigating further risk of transmission to other patients and staff.

Due to privacy concerns, additional information on the employee cannot be provided.

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To date, the Charles George VA Medical Center has not encountered any veterans who have tested positive for COVID-19.

VA is screening veterans and staff who present with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath who meet the CDC criteria for evaluation of COVID-19 infection. Per CDC guidance and VA protocols, individuals known to be at risk for a COVID-19 infection are immediately isolated to prevent potential spread to others.

Veterans and staff are encouraged to take everyday preventive actions to avoid being exposed to the virus:

– Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
– Stay home if you are sick or becoming sick.
– Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
-I f you have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with symptoms, call the VA before going to the facility.

The VA has published guidelines on safeguards to protect nursing home and spinal cord injury patients.

More information for veterans can be found at blogs.va.gov/VAntage/72615/vas-recommendations-help-slow-covid-19-virus/.

For more information about the Coronavirus, please visit cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov.