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Southern Nevada VA staffers quarantined after contact with COVID-19 patient

Posted at 5:56 PM, Mar 09, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-10 08:21:26-04

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Staff from the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System have been placed under home quarantine after interacting with the patient at their facility who presumptively tested positive for COVID-19.

The VA has released the following statement:

"Out of an abundance of caution and after consultation with the Southern Nevada Health District, VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System leadership has directed some staff members who attended to a patient who presumptively tested positive for COVID-19 to self-quarantine at home.

"A list of these individuals was given to the Southern Nevada Health District, so they could contact each individual, assess their risk of exposure, and provide follow-on instructions.

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"The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System has used infectious disease protocols to keep the patient in isolation since his arrival at the North Las Vegas VA Medical Center and throughout his stay. The individuals self-quarantined may have been potentially exposed to COVID-19 prior to testing and the presumptive positive finding.

"We are not aware of any of these staff members exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 at this time, and out of respect for HIPAA and individual privacy we will not be providing any additional information on these individuals. For more information on the self-quarantine process as well as protocols for managing a self-quarantined individual who exhibits symptoms of COVID-19, please contact the Southern Nevada Health District."

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