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BARR WGAL NEWS 8. WELL, WE ARE LEARNING MORE ABOUT ONE OF THE TWO PATIENTS REPORTED IN LANCASTER COUNTY THAT YOU JUST HEARD ABOUT FROM BARBARA LANCASTER. GENERAL HEALTH SAYS A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVE AND 19. THE HOSPITAL SAYS HE OR SHE IT IN A COMMUNITY SETTING AND THAT PERSON IS IN SELF-ISOLATION NOW AT HOME LGH THOUGH SAYS SOME EMPLOYEES AND PATIENTS WERE EXPOSED WHILE THE

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Lancaster General Hospital said Thursday a healthcare provider recently tested positive for the new coronavirus.The announcement came the day after the hospital said it was treating a patient for COVID-19. The healthcare provider became infected in a community setting and is in self-isolation at home, according to officials.Officials said some other hospital employees and patients were exposed to the provider. LGH employees were given instructions for self-monitoring. Affected patients and their families have been notified.The hospital issued the following statement:"A healthcare provider at Lancaster General Hospital recently tested positive for COVID-19, after acquiring the virus in a community setting."The provider is in self-isolation at home and is adhering to all precautions recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the PA Department of Health (DOH). Ensuring the safety and protection of all patients remains our top priority."We have determined that some Lancaster General Hospital employees and patients were exposed to the provider while the provider was on duty at the hospital. To ensure the safety of our other patients and staff, exposed employees at LGH have been given instructions for self-monitoring and on how to prevent others from potential exposure to the virus. Affected patients and their families have also been notified per recommendation of the DOH."We are all aware that these COVID-19 exposures will occur, and that all hospitals will need to deal with these issues as this pandemic evolves. It is important that everyone conform to CDC guidelines in their professional and personal lives – especially social distancing and refraining from non-essential travel or excursions outside home or work - to minimize risk to themselves and to others, including our patients."As an additional step in our safety efforts, we will soon conduct daily temperature screenings at our facilities. It is imperative that you do not come to work if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms. If you are sick, you risk the safety of our patients and your colleagues."I wanted to re-emphasize these latest developments, as we are still relatively early in the progression of the pandemic, and it underscores the importance of taking appropriate precautions."Thank you for your continued dedication to supporting one another, and LG Health, as we navigate this historic pandemic."Previous story Lancaster General Hospital is treating a patient who has tested positive for the coronavirus.The COVID-19 diagnosis marks the first known case in Lancaster County.The hospital issued the following statement Wednesday:"Lancaster General Hospital is caring for a patient who has tested positive for COVID-19. "The safety and protection of all patients and staff remain our top priority. Most normal operations continue throughout the hospital. Consistent with guidance from the U.S. Surgeon General and the American College of Surgeons, we had already begun to cancel elective surgeries earlier this week. In light of this development, we will extend those cancellations for two weeks. We have also modified visitation policies and are screening all patients and their companions when they enter our buildings. "Lancaster General Hospital is caring for this patient using all precautions recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This includes utilizing infection-control guidelines designed for both optimal medical care of patients with infectious diseases and the protection of staff, other patients and visitors."LG Health clinical leaders remain in close contact with the CDC, Pennsylvania Department of Health and our colleagues at Penn Medicine. We continue to monitor new information about this virus and adapt our policies and procedures as needed. We will continue to utilize CDC guidance to screen patients in our Emergency Department and outpatient practices for potential COVID-19 infection. This includes inquiring about patients’ travel history and symptoms associated with the virus."Stay with WGAL for updates.