COVID Positive Nurse Told to Remain on Job in San Ignacio

Michel Chebat

An anonymous tip to News Five this morning alleged that up to five nurses who had tested positive for COVID were being instructed by administration at the San Ignacio Community Hospital to remain on the job.  However this afternoon, Darrel Spencer of the Nurses Association told News Five it was one nurse, not five, and as soon as their organization got wind of the situation this morning, it was “swiftly addressed and stopped.” He says the nurse was then allowed to go home to self-isolate in accordance with COVID-19 protocols.  Minister of Health and Wellness Michel Chebat was asked about the incident today. He insisted that requiring medical personnel to remain on shift after testing positive for COVID would be a breach of protocols.

Michel Chebat, Minister of Health & Wellness

“Let us recall that they are frontline workers and so this is part of the risk that they run every single day as they go out and do their work.  I do know that we have five healthcare professionals from the San Ignacio Community Hospital that tested positive.  I am aware of that.”

Reporter

“Now sir, we’ve received reports, we don’t know if there is any accuracy to it that these same health staff that have tested positive are being asked to stay on to continue with their work because they’ve been vaccinated and they are asymptomatic.  Do you know anything about such a report sir?”

Michel Chebat

“That would be contrary to everything that the Ministry of Health and Wellness has been advocating for and so that I highly doubt that is the case.”