Second coronavirus case emerges at Florida VA facilities as testing of vets escalates
The number of veterans diagnosed with COVID-19 has doubled in Florida with a second positive coronavirus case being reported Thursday at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center. That comes a day after the first positive case was registered in Miami, reflecting a “rapidly evolving” trend as more tests are conducted across the country, officials said.
West Palm Beach VA officials said that before receiving the positive results for the veteran this week, the medical center discharged him to his home “based on clinical status with instructions for home isolation and self-care” under Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, said spokeswoman Kenita Tills.
“The patient is doing well at home and is not in need of inpatient care,” she said.
However, Tills did not respond to a question on how many veterans have been tested for COVID-19 at the West Palm Beach VA since the viral outbreak began to grip Florida last week.
The veteran who tested positive at the Miami VA Medical Center — one of 10 patients who have been assessed for the coronavirus infection — has been admitted to the hospital and is “being cared for in isolation by staff who are specially trained” on the CDC guidelines, the Miami VA said in a statement.
The statement issued by the VA did not indicate the status of the other nine patients who were tested for COVID-19. Also, it was not clear from the statement whether medical professionals, such as VA doctors, may have been exposed to any of those patients who underwent the test.
While it’s difficult to gauge the preparedness of the VA Medical Centers in South Florida for the coronavirus pandemic, there had been no reported positive cases at VA hospitals in Florida before the first case was reported in Miami Wednesday evening, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.
But that trend is changing quickly this week.
“This is a rapidly evolving situation and VA will provide updated information as it becomes available and verified,” the Department of Veterans Affairs said on its website Thursday afternoon.
Of the 1,192 veterans nationwide who have been tested for COVID-19, there are 130 with positive results for the infection as of Friday morning, according to the CDC data on the Department of Veterans Affairs website. Overall, the greatest concentrations of positive cases are in New Orleans (42), New York Harbor (9), Puget Sound (9) and Atlanta (8).
In total, there have been two deaths, up from one earlier in the week, the VA’s data shows.
Last week, with the coronavirus advancing in Florida, the VA Medical Center in downtown Miami and other VA facilities began screening veterans, staff, volunteers and guests around the clock for flu-like symptoms before letting them into the facility. Visitation hours have been suspended.
Staff, patients and others must all enter through the west entrance of the Miami VA facility at 1201 NW 16th St. The 372-bed hospital cares for about 58,000 patients annually, while the veterans population in South Florida is estimated to be about 150,000.
“We have implemented enhanced screening protocols at all our facilities,” the Miami VA Healthcare System said on its web page. “We understand this may be an inconvenience to some, but it is important that we quickly identify individuals who have these symptoms and direct them for further triage and treatment.”
But some people with knowledge of the screening process say that the Miami VA’s system is based on staff, patients and others telling the truth. They are being asked about their health — whether they have a fever or any other symptoms of the coronavirus — but their temperatures are not being taken with an infrared thermometer to determine whether they should be allowed into the hospital.
“The screening process is inadequate,” said one person familiar with it. “It’s an honor system.”
Another person familiar with it shared that view, saying the screeners only ask staff, patients and others if they have been traveling outside the country and whether they or their family members have experienced flu-like symptoms.
“They’re not doing real screenings,” said the person, adding that screeners are not wearing gloves or masks. “They don’t check anyone’s temperature.”
Nationally, the VA says it has adopted an “aggressive public health response” to the threat of the coronavirus, including outreach to veterans and staff, clinical screening at VA healthcare facilities, and protective procedures for patients admitted to community living centers and spinal cord injury units, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs web site.
Veterans who are concerned they may have symptoms of COVID-19 (coronavirus), flu or cold are encouraged to contact the VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center at 1-877-741-3400 (toll free).
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 3:31 PM.
