Sarasota Memorial doctor tests positive for the novel coronavirus, hospital says

A physician at Sarasota Memorial Hospital is recovering from COVID-19, after he tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the hospital said Saturday.

In a news release, the hospital said the doctor went into self-quarantine late Tuesday after he was in contact with a community member who had tested postive for the coronavirus, the cause of the COVID-19 respiratory illness.

The doctor developed symptoms the next day, and on Friday he tested positve, the hospital said. He did not require hospitalization and is being monitored while he is at home.

“Patients and staff who had close contact with the physician in the days before he self-quarantined are being notified,” the hospital said. “Although the physician was not symptomatic while working, three clinicians who worked closely with him have been asked to stay home as a precaution and self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days. All others are considered low risk for infection and will be monitored for symptoms. “

The doctor is the second Sarasota physician this week to test positive for the coronavirus. Doctors Hospital announced Friday evening that one of its physicians had fallen ill.

The hospital on Saturday also said three more patients at the hospital had diagnosed with COVID-19, bringing to five the number of patients in the hospital. Previously, four patients had been treated for COVID-19, before being released, the hospital said.

Today’s update brings the total number of patients diagnosed with the new coronavirus at SMH to 10.,” the news release states. “More than 250 other people tested in the past few weeks have been negative. The five who remain hospitalized have been in isolation since their admission, cared for by doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists trained in appropriate infection prevention and control measures.”

This story was originally published March 21, 2020 at 4:59 PM with the headline "Sarasota Memorial doctor tests positive for the novel coronavirus, hospital says."