COVID-19 positive patient accused of spitting on nurse at Naples hospital

A 35-year-old Naples man with COVID-19 is accused of spitting on a nurse at Physicians Regional Medical Center.

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office responded to the hospital Saturday afternoon after reports of a combative patient, identified as Bryan Ysme-Adeka.

Deputies say Ysme-Adeka had been hospitalized for three days and had caused a “code gray” situation at least eight times. A “code gray” is called for acts of violence against hospital staff.

According to the arrest report, Ysme-Adeka spit on one nurse three times, hitting the nurse on his face shield, cheek and abdomen. It began when Ysme-Adeka was found to be holding a statue from the nurses’ station, and when asked about it, told the nurse his mother had brought it to him. When staff tried to take the statue away, Ysme-Adeka became agitated, told them he had COVID-19 and wanted to make the nurse sick. At that point, Ysme-Adeka spit on the nurse.

Ysme-Adeka was medically cleared and arrested. He faces a charge of battery on a registered nurse.

The sheriff’s office says Ysme-Adeka is a convicted felon in Florida, having been jailed previously for grand theft and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

He remains in the Collier County Jail.