Doctor tests positive for COVID-19, patients potentially exposed

March 28, 2020 Trevor Montgomery

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. — A physician at Riverside Medical Clinic’s Day Street office has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) and health officials are tracking down patients and staff who may be at risk of infection.

The physician, who is not being identified, is expected to recover.

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“This is an unfortunate situation and we are taking all steps necessary to protect the patients and staff,” said Kaiser.

Health investigators are working with Riverside Medical Clinic to determine how many patients the doctor may have seen while he was infectious and contact them to determine what are the appropriate steps to take, said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County public health officer.

Staff members who had close contact with the physician have been contacted.

“Many of our essential employees encounter those who are sick,” said Supervisor Jeff Hewitt. “Unfortunately, our healthcare professionals are not immune to this virus either and we must all strictly follow the guidance of staying home when we are sick.”

Riverside Medical Clinic has scheduled testing March 28 for patients who were possibly exposed.

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“Riverside Medical Clinic remains open and are committed to ensuring that you receive the highest quality of care like we have over the past 85 years. Our patient safety remains our highest priority and we assure you that we have taken every measure to protect you and your family’s health,” said Judy Carpenter, president and COO for Riverside Medical Clinic.

Submitted by Riverside University Health System

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Trevor Montgomery, 48, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, (the now defunct) Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 29 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 16 grandchildren.