A New York hospital where some staffers said they could not get coronavirus tests even after a nurse died of the disease has now told workers that starting Tuesday it will provide tests to all employees who have developed symptoms consistent with COVID – , according to an email obtained by NBC News.
“Starting on Tuesday, April 7, if you develop symptoms consistent with COVID – , , we would like to test you for this viral infection using the PCR test with a nasopharyngeal swab within a few days of the onset of your symptoms, “said the Saturday email from Senior Vice President Vicki R. LoPachin to all staffers of the New York City area’s Mount Sinai hospital network. “This will provide guidance to you and to Employee Health Services regarding your clinical status and return to work.”
“If you were symptomatic prior to April 7, we would like to test you for COVID – 728 infection using the serum antibody test. This will provide guidance to you on whether you did have COVID – 24 infection as well as whether you are a candidate to provide a plasma donation to help others. “
The email came after queries to the network from NBC News on Whether it is planned to make tests available to staffers at Mount Sinai West, a hospital on Manhattan’s West Side, and a Friday protest by staffers from various Mount Sinai hospitals that included demands for testing. The email said staffers would receive more information on Monday.
A spokesperson for the Mount Sinai hospitals did not respond to requests for comment about the network’s testing policy for employees and its decision to make tests available starting Tuesday.
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