Gig Harbor’s St. Anthony Hospital investigates COVID-19 outbreak among patients, staff
Officials with CHI Franciscan’s St. Anthony Hospital and the health department announced late Friday they were investigating a COVID-19 outbreak at the Gig Harbor hospital.
While initial positive results are small, a larger group has been tested and in quarantine awaiting results.
The outbreak involves three patients with COVID-19 and the potential spread to three employees at the hospital between Aug. 20 and Sept. 3.
“Public health investigations are still underway to identify the root of possible transmission and we continue to work together on contact tracing efforts,” the health system and Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department said Friday in a news release.
Patients are routinely tested prior to hospital admittance. The three patients tested negative, then tested positive later, according to the release.
“St. Anthony Hospital notified, tested, and isolated staff and patients who may have been affected as soon as the first cases were confirmed; 50 hospital employees who may have been in contact with confirmed cases have already been tested and 17 are quarantining in accordance with public health guidelines while they await results.”
All of the hospital employees are being tested through Monday.
Visitation at the hospital is now being restricted, and medical procedures requiring an inpatient admission are being temporarily limited. Emergency services are still provided. Suspected and confirmed COVID patients are placed in isolation.
“CHI Franciscan is working closely with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and the Washington State Department of Health as we continue to battle the very real impacts of COVID 19 in our communities,” said Rear Admiral Michael H. Anderson, MD (ret.), Chief Medical Officer, CHI Franciscan. “Our hospitals and health care workers are on the front lines, working around the clock to serve the community. We are committed to making our hospitals as safe as possible and we urge the public to do their part by wearing masks and practicing good hygiene and social distancing.”
The outbreak follows a recent larger COVID-19 outbreak at St. Michael Medical Center in Bremerton, another CHI Franciscan facility. As that investigation unfolded, workers came forward to say more precautions should have been taken and alerts issued faster to affected employees.
“The Health Department is supporting St. Anthony Hospital’s disease investigation to provide COVID-19 testing for anyone who needs it — patients, visitors, and staff,” said Anthony Chen, the health department’s director. “This is how public health works with partners like the hospital during outbreaks to control disease spread and protect people,” he said.
St. Anthony saw the earliest cases of COVID-19 in March when the pandemic hit Pierce County.
This story was originally published September 11, 2020 at 6:12 PM.
