Dignity Health that allows workers with asymptomatic “mild” COVID symptoms to work

Phoenix (3TV / CBS 5)- Leading healthcare providers have adopted the latest CDC guidelines, saying that patients with COVID-19 can continue to work in hospitals and institutions if they are mild and have improved symptoms or are asymptomatic. I am.

In a statement to the Arizona family, a Dignity Health spokesman said the Maricopa County facility follows CDC guidelines for COVID-19-positive health care workers to continue working.

The Arizona family got a note sent to Dignity Health staff. The memo states that anyone who is infected with the coronavirus and feels that they can do their job well can ask their manager for permission to work. Employees add that they need to wear a N-95 mask for 10 days after a positive test.

“We do everything we can to protect our patients and staff from COVID-19 infections while ensuring that our employees can safely return to work. Our staff and patient safety are always with me. It is our number one priority, and we sincerely thank the dedicated care team for their tireless efforts to care for our community during the pandemic. “

Dignity Health employees who don’t want to be identified have joined the new guidelines. “I don’t feel dangerous. Sure. It’s just terrible. It’s difficult. There are a lot of patients, so we need a lot of staff,” he said.

This news comes when the country is experiencing the latest wave of COVID-19 infections as Omicron is skyrocketing in the Valley and across the United States. Over 15,000 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Arizona on Saturday and Sunday.

Will Humble, director of the Arizona Public Health Association, said the new guidelines will put an extra burden on hospitals.

“The hospital is really detained. When you are in such a situation and you are responsible for the treatment of everyone in that hospital, you have to look: where is my leverage? ? “Humbly said. “That’s not what they want to do, but when you’re witty and run out of all the other options, you’re yourself.”

Kiera Walker lives in Phoenix and visits St. Joe’s Hospital to meet her daughter’s legend in the neonatal intensive care unit. Walker also considered new recommendations for COVID-positive employees.

“Dangerous. Like everyone is sick. Don’t work if you know you’re infected with COVID, whether you have symptoms or not,” Walker said. ..

Other healthcare providers have also issued statements regarding allowing COVID-positive employees to still work. Valleywise Health told the Arizona family that “we are not moving in this direction at this time.” Banner Health told the Arizona family that there was no additional information to share.

HonorHealth has also issued a statement to the Arizona family.

HonorHealth, like many other systems in the Valley, is experiencing a staff shortage due to the proliferation of Omicrons. As of Monday, January 10, we continue to staff in emergencies. That is, according to the CDC guidelines, we require clinical and patient care team members who test positive for COVID-19 to take a five-day leave. We monitor this situation daily.

The The latest guidance from the CDC Persons with “mild to moderate illness” and “not moderate to severe immunodeficiency” need to be free of antipyretics for at least 7 days after the first onset of symptoms and at least 24 hours after the last fever. It states that there is. The drug, and its symptoms, should have improved.

These CDC guidelines were last updated on December 23 and in other states. California Public Health ServiceSays they are following in to keep the medical infrastructure up and running in the face of staff shortages.

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