NORTHAMPTON — Cooley Dickinson Hospital has received confirmation that two of its patients have tested positive for COVID-19.
The hospital was notified of the two positive tests by the state Department of Public Health (DPH) on Tuesday, according to a statement released by the hospital Wednesday morning.
“Our infection control and emergency preparedness teams have been preparing for this possibility since we first learned of the outbreak in China,” Cooley Dickinson CEO Joanne Marqusee said in the statement. “We are so proud of our staff for all they have been doing to prepare and to protect the health of our patients and community. We work around the clock and will continue to do so.”
As expected, the hospital has seen an increase in patients with respiratory symptoms, and therefore an increase in testing for COVID-19, over the past several days, the statement reads.
The hospital said that it is coordinating closely with the state Department of Public Health, and that it is following all guidelines from the DPH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). To care for patients, the statement said that Cooley Dickinson staff and providers have followed all isolation and personal protective equipment protocols.
Testing is still very limited, however, so strict criteria are being used to determine who is tested, the hospital said.
“With or without a test, people with mild symptoms should stay home,” the statement reads. “If they are concerned about whether they need to be seen by a provider, they should call their primary care provider.”
According to the CDC, symptoms of the coronavirus disease include fever, cough and shortness of breath within two to 14 days after exposure.