CVS Employee Tests Positive For Coronavirus

LINCOLN, RI — An employee at CVS Health's offices in Rhode Island has tested positive for the new coronavirus, a company spokesperson said on Tuesday morning. Anyone who was in contact with the employee is under self-quarantine.

The diagnosis was confirmed on Sunday, the spokesperson said. Immediately following, the offices at 695 George Washington Highway were disinfected and sanitized, he said, following the protocols from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The affected employees are either working from home or have been placed on paid leave during the 14-day quarantine period.

The employee is not a Rhode Island resident, WJAR reported. A spokesperson for the Rhode Island Department of Health said that if a person tests positive for the virus and is not a resident of the state but has been here, the department helps with contact tracing, or reaching out to people in Rhode Island who may have been in contact with them.

On Monday, Governor Gina Raimondo declared a state of emergency in Rhode Island, which she said offers her more resources and funding to continue the containment effort. At this time, health officials said the risk to most Rhode Islanders remains low. The main concern is for the state's elderly population, particularly those in nursing homes.

Visitors have been severely restricted at nursing homes around the state and Lifespan hospitals. In addition, patients at nursing facilities have been restricted to only leave for necessary appointments, such as visits to the doctor. People will be posted at the doors of all facilities to screen everyone entering buildings, and no one under 18 will be allowed to visit.

As always, Rhode Islanders are encouraged to take steps to protect themselves and others, most importantly frequent handwashing with warm water and soap. Other steps include:

• Get a flu shot, and encourage those around you to do the same. While this will not help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, it is an effective tool to keep people with the flu from developing complications that require hospitalization.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow rather than a hand or the air.
• Stay home from school or work if sick.
• Keep surfaces, especially bedside tables, bathrooms and children's toys clean by wiping them down with disinfectant.
• Get plenty of sleep, by physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods to maintain good health.
• Masks are not recommended for healthy people to avoid getting the virus. Instead, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asks that people with respiratory symptoms wear a mask to avoid spreading them to others.

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