6339 Mill Street,
Rhinebeck,
12572
New York,
United States
On November 21, 2020 staff was notified that a child had been exposed to an employee that had tested positive for COVID. They requested that the child wear a mask but did not isolate or quarantine him. That evening as noted in unit logbook the child was making a concerning cough that I reported to a nurse and asked what procedure I should do to ensure the safety of the rest of the children and the staff that have to work directly with him. I was informed by this nurse that she was not informed of any protocol set in place by the company if this child was to express any possible COVID symptoms. As the days progressed the child continued to show more symptoms of COVID. Staff continued to inform the nurse department and administration staff continued to document these incidents in the logbook. The child that was expressing COVID symptoms started to intentionally cough on other kids stating he wanted to get them sick. When staff informed administration that the child was doing these actions and needed to be tested and quarantined. The administration acknowledged these actions but no response action came of it. On November 26, 2020 child still had not been quarantined or tested for COVID. Child was coughing directly on staff with no mask on and in less than six feet distance as reported in three BER documents and recorded on the unit camera. On November 29, 2020 child received a rapid test and the results came back positive. On November 25, 2020 I was experiencing symptoms of a sore throat. When I expressed to my employer because of the environment I was working in that I have explained above that I would like to take a COVID test and to use my sick days until my workplace was safe to return to. I was told that I should be able to continue to work since I am an essential worker and was showing asymptomatic signs. Presently this company has continued to not quarantine this child that has tested positive for COVID and has continued to allow him contact with kids and staff putting everyone at risk of contracting this disease. This has forced more staff to call out and not return to work because of the risk that is present in the building. This has created a domino effect that units are not being properly staffed and children units are being combined because of the lack of staff which has cause more children to interact with the child that has tested positive for COVID. N-95 and face shields have not been offered to staff after over a week after announcing that the child had been exposed to a COVID positive employee.
Alleged Hazards: 2, Employees Exposed: 100
Source: Osha.gov | Receipt Date: 2020-12-01
