How to Identify People Infected with Coronavirus

Denver Health has and will continue to see patients infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Our staff is vigilant about identifying those patients, isolating them and getting them the proper treatment, because we are committed to helping to stop the spread of the virus in our community.

We asked Denver Health Chief Medical Officer and infectious diseases physician Connie Price, MD to talk about how our providers and medical staff identify people who are infected with the new coronavirus.

"Like any type of emerging infectious disease, we always have to know to look for it," said Dr. Price. "We ask people about symptoms. Are they having any fever or cough or other respiratory symptoms? If they are, then they are screened for the novel coronavirus." Fever with cough and shortness of breath are some of the key symptoms of people who have COVID-19.

Dr. Price continued to explain that the screening process involves isolating those patients, asking them to put on a mask and then giving them access to hand hygiene. Health care workers interacting with the patients would also put on Personal Protective Equipment, also known as PPE to protect themselves from getting infected and from spreading it to anyone else.

Denver Health is committed to helping stop the spread of the novel coronavirus and has implemented a no visitor policy at the main hospital and other restrictions at all medical facilities, along with screening for all those who enter our facilities. Learn more about what everyone can do to stop the spread.

For the latest updates and news on the novel coronavirus, visit DenverHealth.org/coronavirus.