The Oregon Health Authority has notified OHSU that a patient in our care has tested as a presumptive positive case for the novel coronavirus COVID-19.
We are grateful to the team that has cared for this patient using appropriate precautions from the moment the patient arrived at OHSU.
Our Occupational Health team has activated standard precaution protocols, including reviewing all room logs and Epic updates to identify close contacts. Any employees, trainees and visitors who may have been exposed are being contacted directly.
Because OHSU screens patients prior to admission, in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, and asks anyone with respiratory symptoms to wear a mask, the risk of employee exposure is low.
In the interest of patient privacy, we are not disclosing where in the hospital the patient is receiving treatment.
OHSU has been preparing for COVID-19 since early January. An internal task force has been meeting weekly to discuss supplies, logistics, emergency management processes and protocols, and other necessary measures to ensure the health of our patients, visitors, students and employees.
Immediately after the Oregon Health Authority announced Oregon’s first presumptive positive case of COVID-19 in Oregon, OHSU activated an Emergency Operations Center, comprising leaders from across the university, including OHSU Infection Prevention and Control, Occupational Health, Logistics, Environmental Services, Information Technology, Human Resources, Emergency Management, Strategic Communications and many others.
This group continues to meet daily to ensure ongoing preparedness.
OHSU continues to collaborate with state and local public health authorities and health systems across the metro area to coordinate a regional response to COVID-19, with the goal of containing the spread of the virus.
Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, first detected in China, there have been instances of profiling and targeting among Asian members of the community. This discrimination, rooted in fear and misinformation, is unacceptable, contrary to our values and will not be tolerated.
Danny Jacobs, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, OHSU President
Up-to-date information on COVID-19:
- Call 2-1-1 from a mobile phone, 503-222-5555 from a landline, or email help@211.com for general information.
- Multnomah County Health Department
- Clackamas County Health Department
- Washington County Health Department
- OHA Emerging Respiratory Disease page
- CDC COVID-19 page
- CDC travel notice
- WHO page
Additional resources also are available on OHSU’s website: Resources for Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Oregon.