Bayshore Medical Diverting Patients Away (UPDATE)

UPDATE: Hackensack Meridian released an update on the situation:

We want to thank you for your patience and professionalism during this fluid time and take a moment to update you as to what has happened at Bayshore Medical Center since our last communication Thursday night:

· Team members and physicians, who were potentially exposed to positive COVID-19 cases, were screened – all tests came back negative.

· Our Emergency Department continues to be open to walk-in patients.

· We are currently assessing when we can discontinue ED/Ambulance bypass – this decision is based on assessment of the number of ED team members scheduled to return to work.

· Inpatient admissions will resume as soon as possible – this decision is based on assessment of the number of team members scheduled to return to work.

· The Operating Room is open for emergent / life threatening cases.

As a precautionary and proactive measure, all procedural areas and inpatient units are undergoing a deep cleaning including use of UV technology this weekend.

HOLMDEL – Hackensack Meridian Health Bayshore Medical Center shut the hospital to new patients this week while it was awaiting coronavirus test results on doctors and staff who were possibly infected by a patient, officials told Patch.

Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said her department was advised a number of days ago that the hospital's workers had to go into quarantine.

At least two patients have been hospitalized with the coronavirus at Bayshore since the outbreak began. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Persichilli said her department is concerned about the workers' ability to provide appropriate level of care and "the hospital has been diverting patients so no one is put at risk."

The workers have been tested and some have come back negative. They'll return when it's appropriate, she said.

This is a developing story. Patch will have more information as it comes in.