Gov. Kemp, Georgia Hospital Association Issue Joint Statement on Patient Privacy

Atlanta, GA – On March 11th, Governor Brian P. Kemp and the Georgia Hospital Association issued the following statement regarding patient privacy in light of the COVID-19 outbreak in Georgia:

"While we continue to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, we are asking all Georgians to continue to rely on the information coming from the Governor's Office, the Georgia Department of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We will continue to operate with transparency and provide the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding the spread of the virus to ensure that Georgia families have the information they need to remain safe and healthy.

"As we do so, we ask all members of the public and the media to remain patient and respect the privacy of those who have been hospitalized or are in isolation due to exposure to COVID-19. It's important to note that, under penalty of law, hospitals and other healthcare providers are not allowed to share private health information. Respecting these legal guidelines is crucial to streamlining healthcare operations and ensuring that care for patients continues without interruption. We are in this fight together, and with cooperation from all stakeholders, we will continue to put the health and safety of Georgians first."