90 people potentially exposed to coronavirus case at Lake Joy Med-Stop in Houston Co.

About 90 people may have been exposed to COVID-19 at the Lake Joy Med-Stop on Ga. 96 from a healthcare professional who has tested positive, according to information released by a Houston Healthcare spokesman.

The healthcare professional was the first Middle Georgia case of the new coronavirus. On Thursday, he North Central Health District of the Georgia Department of Public Health confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in Macon-Bibb and Peach counties.

In Houston County, the healthcare professional traveled to the West Coast March 6-8, said Kevin Rowley, Houston Healthcare’s public information officer.

The area where the healthcare professional traveled has “active community spread” of COVID-19, according to the North Central Health District.

The healthcare professional returned to work at the Lake Joy Med-Stop on March 12 and March 13, Rowley said.

The individual began to exhibit symptoms of the coronavirus March 13, reported that to management and was sent home, Rowley said. The individual was tested March 13.

Based on a typical incubation period of five to seven days, Houston Healthcare estimates that potential exposure would be limited to the March 12-13 time frame, Rowley said.

About 30 healthcare workers interacted with the individual during that time frame, he said.

“They have been contacted by Houston Healthcare management to be advised of the situation. Their names and contact information has been provided to officials from the North Central Health District.

“The North Central Health District is following up with each potential exposure to determine the course of action. Individuals showing symptoms will be tested. Individuals not showing symptoms will be monitored and allowed to return to work as long as they wear a mask.”

Less than 60 patients were seen at the Lake Joy Med-Stop on March 12-13, and not all of them would have interacted with the healthcare professional, Rowley said. He did not have an exact number.

All of those patient names and contact numbers also have been provided to the North Central Health District, Rowley said.

Houston Healthcare closed all three of its Med-Stop locations Wednesday afternoon.

“At the time of the (news) release, we had not confirmed that it was contained to one location so we decided to err on the side of caution and not name only one,” Rowley said. “We decided to close all three locations at the same time ... for the same reason.

“We are committed to the safety and well-being of our healthcare workers, patients and the community. We have since determined that the affected Med-Stop was our Lake Joy location.”

All three Med-Stops have been deep cleaned, which included the use of an Ultraviolet-C machine.

The Houston Lake and Houston Health Pavilion Med-Stops reopened Thursday.

The Lake Joy location is expected to remain closed while the affected healthcare workers are screened by public health officials, Rowley said. He expects it reopen within a few days.

The health professional who tested positive for COVID-19 remains self-quarantined at home.

“They are showing symptoms, but reports the symptoms are lessening,” Rowley said.

He declined to specify whether the health professional was a doctor, nurse or other medical worker or staff member.

“For the protection of the individual’s privacy, we will not release identifying information,” Rowley said.

Rowley’s comments came via a telephone interview and written responses from questions emailed him by The Telegraph.

This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 11:45 AM with the headline "90 people potentially exposed to coronavirus case at Lake Joy Med-Stop in Houston Co.."