Patient at Western State Hospital tests positive for COVID-19

PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — A patient at Western State Hospital in Lakewood tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Washington Department of Social and Health Services.

Officials said the patient went to a Pierce County hospital on March 13, for outpatient surgery and developed a postoperative fever.

The patient came back to Western on March 15 but continued to have a fever, which caused the hospital begin standard infection control measures, according to DSHS.

State officials said the patient went back to the same Pierce County hospital the next day after their fever continued, and tested positive for COVID-19.

Currently, the patient remains at the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery, according to DSHS.

Officials said all patients at Western State will be screened for coronavirus symptoms several times a day. The hospital will limit patient movement off wards and restrict staff movement between units.

All staff at Western continue to self-screen for coronavirus symptoms, officials said.

Officials said all who visited the state hospital between March 13-16 are being encouraged to monitor for symptoms.

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