17 anesthesiologist residents and a fellow at the University of Florida Hospital system tested positive for COVID-19 after attending a private party.
The chairman of anesthesiology Timothy E. Morey first emailed staff about the outbreak on July 10, according to a report published Monday by the Miami Herald.
“After the party…the hospital system’s anesthesiology department had 18 positive cases of the coronavirus.” https://t.co/aAD4XTordr
— Rich Duszak, MD (@RichDuszak) July 28, 2020
The email identified the people who tested positive as 14 junior residents, two senior residents, a fellow and an administrative employee, the outlet reported. The email reportedly said the anesthesiology department “wishes them well and a speedy return to good health.”
The email did not have any mention of the party or remind staff to stay away from social gatherings, but did remind employees to frequently wash their hands and not to come to the hospital sick. (RELATED: How Has This Viral COVID-19 Story Hit The New York Times With Zero Corroboration)
“UF Health educates its faculty, staff and students on best practices to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 on and off-duty,” UF Health’s Chief Communications Officer Melanie Fridl Ross said in a statement, Miami Herald reported. “Our goal is to minimize the spread of the illness on our campus and in our community, recognizing that it’s impossible to prevent all cases given the way pandemics naturally work.”
The outlet was unable to get specific details about the doctor party. One source called it a going-away party, while another claimed it was organized as a welcome party for incoming first-year residents. Roughly 20-30 people were in attendance, the outlet reported.
UF Health declined to confirm or deny a party or a coronavirus outbreak citing federal privacy laws.
“Like any business, employees on occasion get sick,” the communications office said in a statement to the Miami Herald.
The state of Florida currently has 432,739 total cases of coronavirus, according to the New York Times.