SOMC is reminding people to respect the privacy of anyone who tests positive for Coronavirus and to keep supporting healthcare workers in their fight against the virus.
Healthcare workers at Southern Ohio Medical Center have a message for you: Stay home. Posing in scrubs and masks, employees from the ER held up signs reading, “We stay here for you. Please stay home for us.”
The hospital commented on the first confirmed case of Coronavirus in Scioto County by saying, “While this has never been what we wanted, It was expected. We were preparing for this moment long before this patient was identified.”
The hospital said it had been taking precautions for weeks to protect the safety of staff and patients, including banning visitors for patients and canceling non-emergency procedures. “We are doing everything we can to stop the spread of the virus, but we cannot do it alone.”
Officials went on to repeat the same plea that’s been issued by the President, the Governor, and local officials like County Commissioner Bryan Davis, and Portsmouth Mayor Kevin E. Johnson: Keep practicing social distancing, stay at home unless absolutely necessary, wear a mask, and keep washing your hands and sanitizing surfaces. Don’t forget that germs hide on:
- phones
- keyboards
- car handles
- door handles
- remotes
- toys
- keys
- faucet handles
The hospital also made a plea for people to remember to be kind, “We ask that you continue to offer your support and compassion not only to healthcare workers on the front line but also to one and other. This means being kind to one and other and respecting the privacy of those who have – or will—test positive for COVID-19. These are small steps, but they go a long way.”
The Portsmouth City Health Department announced that a Scioto County resident had tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend but declined to give any more details about the identity of the person.
In speaking to local officials about the Coronavirus crisis, they have uniformly praised SOMC for their hard work and proactive approach in tackling the challenge.
