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Local suspected coronavirus case sent for testing comes back negative

An illustration of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
An illustration of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

A suspected case of coronavirus at Rochester General Hospital that was sent for testing in Albany this week has come back negative.

In the absence of a ready explanation for the patient's respiratory symptoms, and in consultation with the Monroe County and New York state health departments, the hospital submitted a sample for testing at the state's Wadsworth laboratory on Wednesday.

On Saturday morning, Rochester Regional Health, which runs RGH, said the state health department "notified us that the patient admitted to Rochester General Hospital this week tested negative for COVID-19."

"Our medical teams followed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocols from the time the patient entered the hospital until their discharge," said Rochester Regional's chief medical officer Dr. Robert Mayo. "Rochester Regional Health will remain vigilant about COVID-19 as the situation continues to evolve.”

No cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Monroe County.

Local samples of suspected cases need to be sent to Albany because New York state lacks the ability to test for the coronavirus anywhere other than the Wadsworth lab and a laboratory in New York City.

Brett was the health reporter and a producer at WXXI News. He has a master’s degree from the City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism.
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