Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. Adjusts Operations After First COVID-19 Positive Exposure

San Antonio, TX (April 5, 2020) - On Saturday, April 4, 2020, leaders from Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. were informed that a team member who was working at its Wesley Health & Wellness Center during the week of March 23-27 has tested positive for community-acquired COVID-19.

Risk of patient exposure is very low as the infected individual had no patient contact, nor are they part of the facility’s medical operations. Additionally, all patient care had already been adjusted drastically to reduce direct contact in observance of social distancing guidelines. Those adjustments shifted care to virtual visits when possible, and drive-up care when necessary by medical professionals in full personal protective equipment.

The team member has not come in contact with any Methodist Healthcare Ministries team members or entered any of its facilities since experiencing symptoms. All potentially affected team members have been notified and are taking proper precautionary measures.

To mitigate any risk for further infection, the Wesley Health & Wellness Center will be closed during the week of April 5-12 for thorough disinfection cleaning. All patient care will be conducted exclusively through virtual visits until Monday, April 13. The only disruption to patient care will be the rescheduling of medical lab appointments.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries had already closed operations and instituted work-from-home measures for employees at its two School Based Health Centers, Corporate Office and Dixon Health & Wellness Center. The organization continues to provide safe, affordable health care to San Antonio’s low-income population through virtual medical and behavioral health care—including food and other emergency assistance during this pandemic.

About Methodist HealthcareMinistries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is a private, faith-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating access to health care for the uninsured through direct services, community partnerships and strategic grant-making in 74 counties across South Texas. Guided by its mission of "Serving Humanity to Honor God," Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ vision is to be the leader for improving wellness of the least served. The mission also includes Methodist Healthcare Ministries' one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System, the largest healthcare system in South Texas, which creates a unique avenue to ensure that it continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed. For more information, visit www.mhm.org.

###