RI Health Dept. opens door for COVID-infected staff to work at hospitals, nursing homes

PROVIDENCE — A memo went out to employees at the state-run Eleanor Slater Hospital on Friday telling them they can work even if they have tested positive for COVID, if there is a staffing crisis.

Under those circumstances, the memo advised the employees that "those who are exposed or have a positive Covid test but are asymptomatic" can work "in crisis situations for staffing," as long as they wear N95 masks.

The Rhode Island Department of Health has in recent days also opened that same last-resort, crisis-staffing option to COVID-19 infected health-care personnel at hospitals and skilled nursing homes who are "mildly symptomatic."

Asked if the Slater Hospital or any other facility in the state had reached this crisis level, Health Department spokesman Joseph Wendelken told The Journal: