Coronavirus patient was released from Georgia hospital before testing, officials say

A 46-year old Georgia woman who tested positive for coronavirus was initially released from the hospital because she did not meet federal guidelines to be tested for the disease, officials say.

The woman, who has not been publicly identified, marks the third coronavirus case in Georgia.

She first sought treatment at Floyd Medical Center in Rome, about 70 miles northwest of Atlanta, on Feb. 29 for “flu-like symptoms,” the hospital said.

Medical professionals followed guidelines from the state and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and determined the patient “did not meet the testing criteria for COVID-19 or warrant hospitalization,” the medical center said.

She was sent home but returned March 3, when medical personnel decided to admit her because her symptoms were worsening, according to the hospital. She still did not meet the testing criteria, officials said, but doctors pushed to get her tested.

“The preliminary test result was deemed positive,” the hospital said in a statement. “Additional confirmatory testing is being performed and results from CDC are anticipated in the coming days.

The CDC has since relaxed its guidelines when it comes to testing. Under revisions put in place Wednesday, doctors can decide whether a patient should be tested.

“Clinicians should use their judgment to determine if a patient has signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19 and whether the patient should be tested,” the CDC says.

The previous guidelines said patients should be tested only if they had symptoms of a respiratory illness and “clear route of exposure” or needed to be hospitalized with a severe, unexplained respiratory illness, according to The New York Times.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced two other confirmed coronavirus cases in the state Monday.

Floyd Medical Center said it will take extra precautions as it awaits test results from the CDC.

“The public can be assured that it is safe to seek care at Floyd,” the hospital said.

This story was originally published March 6, 2020 at 11:11 AM with the headline "Coronavirus patient was released from Georgia hospital before testing, officials say."