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The Beaumont Public Health Department confirmed the third positive case of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Beaumont.

The individual confirmed Sunday is a health care provider who lives in Beaumont and works at Gulf Coast Health Center in Port Arthur.

“Since being advised that our provider was possibly exposed to someone who had tested positive for COVID-19 during an out of state trip last weekend, we asked our provider to self-quarantine,” said Dr. Marsha Thigpen, executive director of Gulf Coast Health Center.

“The provider was tested on Friday and (Saturday) night we were informed the provider tested positive for the virus. Within minutes of being informed of the results, we contacted local health authorities. We are cooperating fully with multiple jurisdictions to conduct a thorough public health investigation.”

On Saturday night, Gulf Coast started contacting all employees and the 18 patients seen by the provider last week.

“We advised the patients and employees who might have been exposed to the provider to self-quarantine for two weeks,” Thigpen said.

“Additionally, we have closed the Memorial clinic location in Port Arthur for two weeks and will disinfect the entire Main campus. We will continue to be in contact with our patients by phone to take precautionary measures and take all actions requested by health authorities in multiple jurisdictions in Jefferson County.”

Thigpen said Gulf Coast would continue to take all steps requested to protect patients, employees and the community it serves.

“As the Beaumont Public Health Department stressed, this is a rapidly involving situation and a concern for our community,” Thigpen said. “As we learn more from public health authorities, we will inform our patients, our employees and the public.”