Second case linked to Connecticut.

Doctor from New York connected to Bridgeport Hospital tests positive

A doctor from New York who saw patients at a Connecticut hospital has tested positive for the new virus, but the risk to those patients is minimal, officials said Saturday.

The doctor is a community physician who makes rounds at Bridgeport Hospital, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said.

The doctor saw a “limited” number of patients about a week ago when he was not showing symptoms and the risk of exposure was small, Bridgeport Hospital President Anne Diamond said at a news conference. The doctor was diagnosed with the coronavirus Friday.

“We were well prepared for this eventuality and the small number of patients who interacted with this physician have been identified and have been notified and are being managed in accordance with CDC guidance,” the hospital said in a statement.

The hospital put some patients in isolation, but the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised the hospital that was not necessary. No hospital staff have required isolation or been put on furlough, she said.

The doctor’s name was not released but Lamont said he was from New Rochelle, N.Y.

‘Low’ risk to patients, staff

“Bridgeport Hospital officials were in direct communication with the Connecticut Department of Public Health when they were made aware of this positive case,” the Democratic governor said in a statement. “The physician did not show signs or symptoms when he worked with patients at Bridgeport Hospital and the risk to staff and patients remains low.”

It’s the second time in as many days that a New York resident who works at a Connecticut hospital was confirmed as testing positive for the virus that causes the disease COVID-19.

The state Department of Public Health confirmed Friday that an employee of Danbury and Norwalk hospitals tested positive for the coronavirus. Officials did not provide the occupation of the woman. She is in self-quarantine, officials said.

That woman is also from New Rochelle, but there is no known link between her and the doctor, officials said.

There are no confirmed COVID-19 cases among Connecticut residents, state Public Health Commissioner Renee Coleman-Mitchell said.

However, 21 Connecticut residents who have been tested for the coronavirus have tested negative while test results are pending for nine others, she said.

The two patients work for different hospital groups.