The Los Angeles Sheriff reported that several sheriffs and first responders were exposed to the coronavirus while helping a Covid-19 patient.
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Photo:
Ciro Cesar / La Opinion / Impremedia
Los Angeles County Sheriff, Alex Villanuevasaid on Thursday that Three department employees and other first responders were "near" a woman whose death was the first confirmed coronavirus death in the county.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department (LAFD) also recognized that his staff was also exposed to the patient, and that these people "currently have no symptoms and are regularly being checked for any developing symptoms."
The woman, in her 60s, lived elsewhere, but was visiting friends in the Los Angeles area. She died on Wednesday.
Like much of the world, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is adapting to the challenges caused by the recent COVID-19 outbreak. On March 12, 2020, we were informed that three LASD staff and other first responders were near a COVID-19 victim who had expired during a service call on March 9, 2020, ”said Villanueva.
“When we received the notification of potential exposure two days after the incident, we immediately contacted the department members involved. As a precaution, and although our staff was asymptomatic, they were sent home to follow quarantine procedures as directed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "he continued.
The woman was treated at the Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, which reported it in a statement Thursday.
"The patient presented in an ambulance to the hospital's Emergency Department in a complete cardiac arrest and the staff immediately provided her with vital care to stabilize her condition," hospital officials said. “Upon arrival of the patient's family member, who revealed the patient's travel status and assessment of the patient's symptoms, the staff followed all infection control protocols established by LACDPH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diseases (CDC).
“The patient was immediately placed in isolation and the county Department of Public Health (LACDPH) was notified of the potential case. With LACDPH approval, the samples were sent to the public health laboratory for the COVID-19 test. Unfortunately, the patient died shortly after admission due to complications from her illness. ”
