FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Elizabeth McCown
Director of Risk & Legal Affairs/Public Information Officer
Guadalupe Regional Medical Center
emccown@grmedcenter.com
830.401.7314

[Seguin, Texas] April 14, 2020 — The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Guadalupe County has reached 50 total cases with 27 of those having recovered. Guadalupe Regional Medical Center continues to remain in a heightened state of preparation for a potential surge of COVID-19 cases.

As the COVID-19 public health crisis continues, and in light of recent changes in CDC guidelines for the use of face coverings to stop the spread of COVID-19, GRMC has implemented universal masking of its on-campus staff effective today.

Distribution of masks and instructions for use occurs as part of our entrance screening procedure for employees along with temperature checks and questions about respiratory symptoms and travel.

We are taking this step now because of evidence that while social distancing is a key strategy for interrupting the spread of corona virus it is difficult to maintain in the busy patient care environment. CDC recommends universal masking to enhance existing infection control practices in healthcare settings. GRMC currently has adequate supplies of personal protective equipment to support this practice.

The CDC recommends that the public wear cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain and has provided guidance for the use of cloth face coverings to help slow the spread of COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html.