Hamilton hospital reports first case of virus in Whitfield

The Dalton-based Hamilton Health Care System has confirmed a case of COVID-19, the first such confirmation in Whitfield County.

Due to the confirmed case, the hospital system is implementing a no visitor policy with limited exceptions for guests.

The policy will begin Wednesday. The test came back positive Tuesday, according to a statement from the Hamilton Health Care System. Neither the person’s identity nor their age was released.

“In similar response as is being done at other hospitals, we will only allow visitors in certain extraordinary circumstances,” the statement reads. “We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time and encourage family and friends to utilize alternative forms of communication with their loved ones.”

The Georgia Department of Public Health releases a coronavirus update every day at noon with updated numbers from the previous 24 hours. At noon on Tuesday, the state announced there were 146 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. The Whitfield County case will be added to Wednesday’s update.

The case out of Whitfield County is the first in the seven-county area closest to Chattanooga in Northwest Georgia.

Columbia, Barrow, Richmond and Rockdale counties were the four counties that reported new cases Tuesday afternoon.

Contact Patrick Filbin at pfilbin@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6476. Follow him on Twitter @PatrickFilbin.