Pathogens unit at Providence cared for some of country’s first patients with COVID-19

By VALERIE SCHREMP HAHN

In February 2020, when a cruise ship arrived at a California port carrying passengers with COVID-19, the workers in the special pathogens unit at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Children’s Hospital in Spokane, Washington, were ready to help.

The unit is one of 13 spread throughout the country and designated by the federal government to treat high-consequence infectious diseases. They are known as Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers. Providence St. Joseph Health is the only Catholic health care system with a unit.

When the four COVID patients from the