Replay Video
UP NEXT
1
Cancel
Difference between contracting coronavirus versus the flu
The Gleaner (Henderson, KY)
See more videos
What to watch next
UP NEXT
UP NEXT

This story may be updated. For the latest reporting, please click here. 

SARASOTA — A Sarasota doctor who diagnosed a Manatee County resident with coronavirus quarantined himself after he met with the patient, according to Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Manuel Gordillo, an infectious disease specialist at Infectious Disease Associates in Sarasota, has not left his home since Thursday, when Doctor’s Hospital called him to consult with them about an individual suspected of having the novel coronavirus, which has infected 90,870 people globally, according to the World Health Organization.

a red fire truck driving down a street: The emergency room at Doctor’s Hospital in Sarasota. © HERALD-TRIBUNE STAFF PHOTO / CARLOS R. MUNOZ The emergency room at Doctor’s Hospital in Sarasota.

Dr. Gordillo, through a spokesman, declined to comment for this story.

A letter on Doctor’s Hospital letterhead was widely circulated on social media Sunday, alerting patients and staff that the hospital admitted an individual who was “presumptively positive” for coronavirus. Gov. Ron DeSantis confirmed the report but the hospital said at that time it could not provide any additional information.

Doctor’s Hospital immediately activated all protocols for handling coronavirus cases, including “immediate isolation,” the letter indicated.

“All potentially exposed employees and providers have been identified and the hospital is communicating with them to answer their questions and provide additional information,” the letter read.

Monica Yadav, spokeswoman for Doctor’s Hospital of Sarasota, addressed the letter Wednesday, saying that the hospital considered patient and staff needs first. She pointed out that federal health care privacy laws kept them from discussing patient care.

Doctor’s Hospital also released its first public statement Wednesday.

CEO Robert Meade said the hospital treats infectious diseases every day and have reinforced infection prevention protocols, as well as coronavirus, which is also known as COVID-19, guidelines.

On Feb. 28, the hospital said the Center for Disease Control changed its guidance regarding coronavirus — criteria for persons under investigation — that led to an inpatient being tested.

An established coronavirus plan was put into effect, Meade said.

The state lab returned a “presumptive positive” on Feb. 29 and the hospital notified individuals who may have been in contact with the patient and put employees on leave, in accordance with rules provided by the Florida Department of Health.

“Equally important, we transparently informed all patients and staff through written documents about the presence of a patient with COVID-19, and in an abundance of caution, we suspended elective procedures,” Meade stated. “The CDC informed the hospital of the confirmed positive test on Monday, March 2nd.”

More: Tracking coronavirus: Charts, maps show number of cases, deaths across the world

Doctor’s Hospital has resumed all elective procedures and are admitting new patients to the hospital and the emergency room is open, Meade said in the statement.

“We are terminally cleaning the entire hospital continuously by using anti-microbial disinfectant on every surface in the hospital, both clinical and public spaces,” Meade wrote. “We continue to work closely with the department of health and the CDC to ensure that we are taking appropriate precautions on behalf of our patients, caregivers, and the community.”

All patients and visitors at Doctor’s Hospital Wednesday were greeted by staff at the entrance who asked if they have recently been outside the country, the nature of their visit, and whether they were exhibiting respiratory symptoms.

Masks, tissues and hand sanitizer was positioned inside the doorway along with information about coronavirus and influenza, a more common illness this time of year.

There have been 64 cases of coronavirus in the U.S. — two confirmed cases were reported in Florida, a man Manatee County, who is in his 60s, and a woman from Hillsborough County, who is in her 20s.

Results of a third presumptively positive case — a woman who lives with the Hillsborough woman who recently traveled from Italy — are pending confirmation.

It is unknown how the Manatee County man contracted the illness.

Kim Savage, public relations manager for Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, says Gordillo has been asked not to go out in public but remains in contact with the hospital.

“He’s working at home hard to cover our bases and guide us,” Savage said. “He’s got 15 people in his practice who are also infectious disease specialists. He can go places if there are no people around. He has a wife who is staying with a relative and is bringing him food.”

More: Southwest Florida hospitals say they are prepared to treat coronavirus

Gordillo is participating in hospital meetings using a video-conferencing app on his phone.

“He’s fully connected to the hospital’s electronic medical records,” Save said. “He’s reviewing cases and his practice is covering patient care needs. They do that anyway.”

Gordillo provides in-patient and out-patient consultations at Infectious Disease Associates.

SMH is awaiting the result of at least a dozen patients who are being tested for the coronavirus. They are expecting some of the results Wednesday afternoon, Savage said. The hospital is reviewing response plans in case they have “presumptive positives.”

Local health care facilities have advised patients if they have severe respiratory symptoms to call the hospitals, urgent care or health care provider before coming to clinics or emergency rooms. If they are having moderate symptoms a doctor will ask them to stay home, take their temperature and report if they have worsening symptoms.

Coronavirus symptoms typically last three to five days, Savage said.

“If they are at higher risk for any reason, they have asthma or pulmonary positions they may be asked to come in and see a doctor,” Savage says. “People who are typically in a self-quarantine, it’s no different if they are at home with a bad flu. Take acetaminophen and drink plenty of water.”

Patients with moderate symptoms can safely stay at home and monitor themselves.

The Florida Department of Health website shows that there are no new cases of coronavirus statewide. There are 16 pending test results, 24 negative test results and 247 people under public health care monitoring.

The virus has affected 82 countries with the most cases in China (80,304), Republic of Korea (4,812), Italy (2,036), and Iran (523). China has had 2,946 deaths, while nine people have died in Washington State.

More: How will the coronavirus affect Southwest Florida's tourism industry? It's too early to tell.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Florida doctor who diagnosed Manatee County coronavirus case quarantined

Read More
Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Feedback

Found the story interesting?

Like us on Facebook to see similar stories


Send MSN Feedback

We appreciate your input!

Please give an overall site rating: