Columbus Regional Notified of First COVID-19 Case at Hospital

Columbus Regional Healthcare System has been notified of its first confirmed case of COVID-19. The individual required a short hospital stay at Columbus Regional but is now at home in isolation. Columbus Regional has worked with the Columbus County Health Department and continues to follow the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to protect patients and teammates and to limit the spread of the virus.

To protect patients, families, and healthcare workers from the spread of COVID-19, Columbus Regional continues to temporarily limit visitors. Visitors are not allowed in the emergency department or on the floors, with very few exceptions, including minor children. Any visitors that are permitted on the campus are subject to a health screening to ensure they do not have any flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, or shortness of breath.

Columbus Regional Healthcare System continues to monitor and respond to this rapidly evolving situation. This temporary restriction on visitors follows local, state, and national guidelines and best practices to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, and to protect patients, visitors, and healthcare workers.

Columbus Regional continues to encourage everyone to follow the recommendations of the CDC, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and the Columbus County Health Department to take the necessary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which are:

• Social distancing (e.g. avoiding crowds, self-quarantining, etc.)
• Washing hands frequently with soap and water, and for at least 20 seconds each time
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are ill
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, throw it away, and then
  wash your hands
• Do not reuse tissue after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
• Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched

For the most recent updates from Columbus Regional, please continue monitoring the website at
http://www.crhealthcare.org/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/ and Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/CRHealthcare.

News Release March 28, 2020
Columbus Regional Healthcare System
500 Jefferson St.
Whiteville, NC 28472
Contact: Mallory Freeman
Vice President, Ambulatory and Outreach Services
910-641-8620