SPRINGFIELD, Ore. A total of 27 employees at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center are under ‘supervision’ on Friday after another staff-positive test for COVID-19.
According to hospital spokeswoman and marketing director Jana Waterman, the employee tested positive after a trip to Mexico. Waterman could not say how the other 27 people came in contact with her, but a source with knowledge of the situation says that the infected staff worked at least one shift in the reporting room after their return from Mexico.
“We test the people they came in contact with,” Waterman said. ‘It’s a precautionary measure. No one shows signs or symptoms. “
Oregon Nurses Association communications manager Kevin Mealy said safety is always the highest priority in the health care industry.
“What I have seen of nurses in this whole pandemic is an extreme amount of caution. Both in their workplace and in their personal lives to protect themselves and their community,” Mealy said. “Nurses know how contagious and deadly this virus has been. They have taken extraordinary steps to keep themselves, their families and their patients safe.
It is not known if the employee who tested positive for COVID-19 was a nurse. Mealy also said that ONA has signed a contract that health care workers at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center will provide a two-week sick leave if COVID-19 staff contract on the job. That is something that did not come into place until yesterday.
KEZI 9 News will have updates as the story unfolds.
