NEW ORLEANS — The patient with Louisiana's first presumptive case of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus is being treated at the VA Medical Center in New Orleans, according to an email sent to hospital staff.
As first reported by NOLA.com/The New Orleans Advocate, the email stated that the patient was admitted Friday night and deemed appropriate for COVID-19 testing by the state health department.
Staff who interacted with the patient are being assessed for exposure and may be told to self-quarantine for two weeks, according to the email.
A staff member at Geraldine Boudreaux Elementary school in Terrytown has been placed on self-quarantine in relation to this case.
According to an email sent to students' parents, a school employee's roommate had come into contact with the unidentified patient. That employee has been asked to self-quarantine for two weeks as a precaution.
The Louisiana Department of Health reported its first presumptive positive case of COVID-19 in the state Monday afternoon.
Governor John Bel Edwards said the first case involved a Jefferson Parish resident who was hospitalized in Orleans Parish.
The case is considered "presumptive" until officially confirmed by the Center for Disease Control. At this time, it is the only known case of the disease in the state. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said that the CDC confirmation would likely come later Monday.
Louisiana Public Health Hotline: 1-855-523-2652
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