At a time when several St. Clair County first responders have been exposed to the coronavirus, a Centers for Disease Control interim guideline change allows asymptomatic first responders who have been exposed to the virus to still report to work.
Tri-Hospital EMS CEO and President Ken Cummings said last week, four employees were exposed to a patient who tested positive for coronavirus after the EMS staff came into contact with them.
Those staff are still reporting to work because they are not showing symptoms, Cummings said. However, those staff are required to wear a mask at all times and are being monitored for symptoms, as per CDC guidelines.
Cummings said this guideline was changed to avoid a shortage of first responders.