Sarasota Memorial tests 14 patients with novel coronavirus symptoms. All are negative
A preliminary state lab test has indicated that 14 Sarasota Memorial Hospital patients with “unexplained respiratory illness” do not have the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.
The results were announced Thursday afternoon in a press release from the hospital. The results will not be officially confirmed until the Florida Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control review them, as well.
“We are happy to report that the results we have received to date have been negative, but there are many viruses circulating this time of year and many more tests that will be run,” said SMH CEO David Verinder. “We have to remain vigilant and prepared for that to change.”
The 14 patients are just the first batch of tests sent to the state, the release said. Those tests were sent to state labs Monday, and results came back Wednesday night. The hospital says it is still treating several patients with respiratory illness symptoms, and plans to submit more samples for state testing in the near future.
Sarasota Memorial has set up a 24/7 coronavirus command center that provides guidance to staff, healthcare providers, local nursing homes and other community organizations. Hospital leaders are also promoting their own coronavirus hotline, which can be reached at (941) 917-8799 for updated information on the virus.
As of Thursday afternoon, the Doctors Hospital of Sarasota is the only local hospital with an officially diagnosed case of the novel coronavirus.
This story was originally published March 5, 2020 at 3:22 PM.
