RI Healthcare Workers Are One in Five Positive Coronavirus Cases

RI Healthcare Workers Are One in Five Positive Coronavirus Cases

GoLocal has learned that healthcare workers comprise 21 percent of those that have tested positive for the coronavirus.

The RI Department of Health confirmed the impact on healthcare workers.

“Of our 657 positive cases, 144 are healthcare workers. These are all healthcare workers (people in primary care offices, pharmacists, dental assistants, etc.), not just hospital workers,” said Joseph Wendelken, spokesperson for the Health Department.

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The Rhode Island Department of Health announced 91 new coronavirus cases on Thursday afternoon for a total of 657 cases -- and announced that COVID-19 testing has been expanded to "all symptomatic Rhode Islanders."

According to the Health Department, “People who think they have COVID-19 should call their healthcare provider. Do not go directly to a healthcare facility without first calling a healthcare provider (unless you are experiencing a medical emergency). And, early data suggest that older adults are twice as likely to experience serious COVID-19 illness.”

The New York Times reported on Tuesday, "The coronavirus pandemic, which has infected more than 30,000 people in New York City, is beginning to take a toll on those who are most needed to combat it: the doctors, nurses and other workers at hospitals and clinics. In emergency rooms and intensive care units, typically dispassionate medical professionals are feeling panicked as increasing numbers of colleagues get sick.