Geisinger confirms its first patients with presumed positive result for COVID-19

DANVILLE, Pa. – Today, Geisinger confirmed its first three patients with presumed positive results for the novel coronavirus that causes the COVID-19 illness. 

Geisinger officials will be collaborating with the Pennsylvania Department of Health on the ongoing care and monitoring of the patients. 

In reference to its first confirmed cases of COVID-19, Geisinger’s president and CEO, Jaewon Ryu, M.D., issued the following statement:

“Guided by months of preparation and the expertise of Geisinger’s staff, proper protocols in line with infection control best practices were followed during the patients’ care. Because of Geisinger’s extensive and ongoing preparedness, all of our facilities remain safe places for our employees, patients and visitors alike. All members of our communities should feel comfortable seeking care at Geisinger hospitals and clinics.”

Geisinger experts continue to ask that before visiting a doctor’s office, convenient care clinic or emergency department, people should call their primary care doctor’s office or Geisinger’s 24/7 novel coronavirus hotline at 570-284-3657 if they may have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 or if they have:

• Cough
• Fever
• Shortness of breath

For general questions and information about COVID-19, people can visit geisinger.org/coronavirus. Using these resources before going to a doctor’s office, walk-in clinic or emergency department can help lessen the possible spread of the virus.

The hotline is also available for clinicians to address patient care inquiries and laboratory testing questions.

Despite almost 100 cases of novel coronavirus cases now reported in Pennsylvania, the risk of getting a severe case of COVID-19 in the United States remains low for most healthy people. There are some populations, including the elderly and those with existing chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer, diabetes and respiratory disease, who risk the most danger if they were to contract COVID-19. Healthy adults and children under age 10 have mostly avoided impact from COVID-19.

About Geisinger
Geisinger is among the nation’s leading providers of value-based care, serving 1.2 million people in urban and rural communities across Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, the nonprofit system generates $10 billion in annual revenues across 126 care sites — including 10 hospital campuses — and Geisinger Health Plan, with more than half a million members in commercial and government plans. Geisinger College of Health Sciences educates more than 5,000 medical professionals annually and conducts more than 1,400 clinical research studies. With 26,000 employees, including 1,700 employed physicians, Geisinger is among Pennsylvania’s largest employers with an estimated economic impact of $15 billion to the state’s economy. On March 31, 2024, Geisinger became the first member of Risant Health, a new nonprofit charitable organization created to expand and accelerate value-based care across the country. Learn more at geisinger.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.