June 25, 2020 - Mariposa, C.A. - A John C. Fremont Healthcare District's clinical staff member with patient contact has tested positive for COVID-19 and it is the first case of a staff member testing positive. This individual is not one of the 8 staff members that were potentially exposed from the two positive cases identified at the District earlier in the week.
Risk of exposure to patients and staff is still considered low at this time.
The individual was exposed to the virus outside of their work at the District.
Contact tracing took place immediately to patients and staff who may have had contact with this individual. These persons are quarantining at home and managing symptoms until the testing results return.
All staff, including the COVID-19 confirmed staff member, have been practicing wearing face masks, washing hands and adhering to social distancing since the pandemic began. In addition, the District practices strict sanitation practices.
The hospital began screening all staff and patients on March 9th, monitoring temperatures upon entry into the District. Ewing Wing resident temperatures are being monitored regularly to ensure early identification of COVID-19 related symptoms.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines high risk exposure as contact with an infected person less than six feet away, without a mask, for longer than 15 minutes.
If you visited the hospital between June 13 and June 14 and still have concerns, call 209-966-3631 ext. 5056 to speak with our Quality Assurance staff.
The John C. Fremont Healthcare District Crisis Command Center has been set-up since March 4th. They were meeting daily, until two weeks back, they now meet twice a week to discuss updates released from the CDC, WHO and the Public Health Department.
"Our team has been working diligently to prepare since early March and our top priority is patient care and safety," said Tom Wilkinson, Covid-19 Incident Commander and Chief Nursing Officer.
If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms - fever or chills, cough, congestion, shortness of breath, malaise, fatigue, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache or diarrhea — contact our clinic at 209-966-3631 and if you have an urgent medical need, call our Emergency Room at 209-966-3631 to advise staff of your arrival and symptoms.
John C. Fremont Hospital would like to remind everyone to practice social distancing, wearing a mask, washing your hands regularly and follow the guidelines of the Mariposa County Health Officer.
For more information or for a media interview with Tom Wilkinson, Covid-19 Incident Commander and Chief Nursing Officer, contact Therese Williams at therese.williams@jcf-hospital.com or call (209) 347-6018.
About John C. Fremont
John C. Fremont Hospital is a 34-bed facility designated by the federal government as a Critical Access Hospital that has been serving the Mariposa community since 1951. Our medical providers, nursing, and ancillary care staff are all highly qualified and skilled. We share a strong dedication to help our patients heal and improve their health through preventative care. With 24-hour emergency care John C. Fremont Hospital is prepared to meet your emergency health care needs. John C. Fremont Healthcare District offers in-patient and out-patient services: two family medicine clinics, Fremont Family Physicians in Mariposa, and the Northside Clinic in Greeley Hill. The Fremont Specialty Clinic gives patients access to highly trained specialists and receive care in their home community. Our specialists include: cardiology, endocrinology, neurology, gastroenterology, nephrology, dermatology, rheumatology, oncology, podiatry, women’s health, OB, and counseling services. Our hospital includes a full-service laboratory, cardiopulmonary, and imaging services including x-ray, mammography, CT, MRI, and ultrasound. Our skilled nursing unit is rated 5-Star for quality of care by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. We also provide rehabilitation, home health and hospice services, and private duty in-home care. John C. Fremont Healthcare District was formed by the citizens of Mariposa County in 1947. The District is governed by a publicly elected Board of Directors. “We are people you know caring for you and the people you love.”
Source: JCF
