A “provider” for the University of Maryland Medical System has tested positive for the new coronavirus, system officials confirmed Monday.
It was not immediately clear where the person was employed, nor whether the person was among the 44 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Maryland on Monday. UMMS spokeswoman Lisa Clough declined to answer questions on the case “out of respect for the privacy of our employees and patients.”
“In this instance, when an UMMS provider tested positive for COVID-19, we took immediate steps to investigate their exposure and followed protocols and guidelines issued by the CDC and MDH to ensure the safety of the provider and patients,” Clough said in a statement.
Clough called the safety of medical staff, patients and the health care workforce a “top priority" and said UMMS anticipated clinical staff would have a higher risk of exposure, which can happen both inside and outside of its facilities.
“Even with safeguards in place, our caregivers are taking all the necessary precautions to keep themselves and those in our care safe,” Clough said. “UMMS has deep gratitude for the sacrifices made each day by providers who deliver the highest quality patient and family centered care."
Last week, a health care provider at Northwest Hospital in Randallstown and a patient at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore both tested positive for COVID-19. And a “provider” at Johns Hopkins Hospital also tested positive, the hospital confirmed March 14.
The number of confirmed cases of the virus in Maryland jumped to 288 on Monday. Gov. Larry Hogan has ordered all non-essential businesses to close in the state, including retail stores that had been allowed to remain open.