MA Coronavirus: Hundreds Of Hospital Employees Test Positive

More than 600 employees at Massachusetts hospitals have tested positive for the new coronavirus, including more than 100 each from two of Boston's biggest hospitals, Brigham and Women's and Mass General Hospital.

The infections among health care workers raise concerns about workplace safety, the potential danger to patients and staff shortages at the time of maximum need. The state is expected to see a surge in cases in mid-April.

On Wednesday, the medical news site Medscape published a list of 130 health care workers around the world who have died of the new virus, including 13 in the United States.

Are you a health care provider who has tested positive for the new coronavirus? Contact chris.huffaker@patch.com if you'd like to tell your story.

The state nurses union has called on hospitals to do more to protect staff during the outbreak, including universal use of personal protective equipment.

“The health of our communities and the lives of our families, friends and neighbors depends on how we protect frontline nurses and health care workers right now,” Donna Kelly-Williams, a registered nurse and the president of the Massachusetts Nurses Association, said. “COVID-19 spreads quickly and quietly. As we speak, inside hospitals across Massachusetts, there are tens of thousands of dedicated, passionate people battling this pandemic."

As of Wednesday afternoon, Brigham and Women's has 140 employee cases, while Massachusetts General Hospital has 139. As of Thursday morning, the Beth Israel Lahey Health system has 232 cases, including 90 at Beth Israel Deaconess and 54 at Lahey.

Smaller regional hospitals and systems are not escaping the virus: Newton-Wellesley has 48 employees who have tested positive. The North Shore Medical Center has 21 and the Cambridge Health Alliance has 30. UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester has 32 cases, according to its chief of colorectal surgery.

Cape Cod Health has "a few cases" among employees, according to CEO Michael Lauf. He did not provide precise numbers. Other hospitals, including MetroWest Medical Center and the Baystate Health System, declined to share employee case counts.

The Boston Globe reported that Tufts and Boston Medical Center have 82 and 66 cases.

In a letter to the state, Kelly-Williams called for high PPE standards in hospitals, including N95 masks for all providers in patient rooms.

Dr. Kristin Cox, medical director for quality and safety at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, described steps taken by the hospital and others in the Partners HealthCare system, like Massachusetts General and Brigham and Women's.

"We obviously care a lot about making sure that the staff, and obviously patients and visitors as well, remain safe," Cox said.

Every employee wears a mask every day, and staff are asked daily whether they have any covid-19 symptoms. Those with symptoms are referred to the hospital's occupational health unit.

Cox said most of the hospital's early staff cases were traceable known exposure outside the hospital to recent travel, but as community transmission has accelerated, the source has become less clear.

"I'm not personally aware of any employee who has gotten ill from caring for a patient," Cox said

Partners has prepared "surge plan" for the coming weeks, Cox said, for increased staffing needs and potentially absent staff.

"We're looking at whoever is available to help," Cox said.

North Shore Medical Center provided a statement on their efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.

"Our number one priority is the health and safety of our patients, physicians and staff," the hospital said. "We're closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and diligently following recommended protocols and procedures to protect everyone in our facilities and our community."

Specific efforts include mandatory masking in clinical facilities, daily self-monitoring of symptoms, and screening patients. Employees caring for confirmed or suspected coronavirus patients "are equipped with the personal protection equipment (PPE) they need to properly care for the patient and protect themselves."

The hospital has also developed surge plans for an influx in patients, according to the statement.

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Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.

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