Description

Good day,

My name is Jesse Forrister and I'm a medical assistant at CareWell Urgent Care in Fitchburg, MA. One week ago, on December 12th, 2021, one of our providers came in and told us her child had just tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. She was coughing and didn't feel well, so she performed a rapid antigen test, which came back negative. Per CDC guidelines, if you've had direct exposure and have symptoms, you are to go home and quarantine. The provider left for the day.
Two days later, she was back working at another CareWell location. During the next few shifts, when the provider was at the Fitchburg location, the provider was continuously coughing with her mask down, within 15 feet of over 4 employees, and still seeing patients. The direct manager was contacted on two occasions by three employees, all with concerns for their health because they knew the provider had constant exposure and was symptomatic. They were uncomfortable working in this environment. Their messages were unheeded and was told, "She has a sinus infection and isn't contagious. If you're that concerned, wear an N95." The medical director and other managers at CareWell Urgent Care knew of the situation and didn't act upon multiple requests. There is no symptom, nor temperature check upon arrival at CareWell Urgent Care.
On Monday, December 20th, the provider worked with me, along with five employees. She had her mask down the entire day and was coughing, sneezing, and on multiple occasions, stated, "I really don't feel well." The provider saw around 50 patients on Monday, 12/20. She performed a rapid antigen test around 5:15p, 9-hours after our shift had started. She tested positive. I, along with other employees, are now symptomatic, and need a PCR test to return to work. I feel the actions (or inactions) of managers and their superiors, well-knowing this provider had constant direct contact with her child, who is SARS-CoV-2 positive, and having symptoms, was allowed to work, interacting with the public, is grossly negligence.

Known facts:
1) The provider stated that her child tested positive (+) for SARS-CoV-2 over one week ago.
2) The provider was symptomatic for over a week (attested by multiple employees).
3) The provider was caring for the public with known exposure and symptoms, which is against CDC and Massachusetts Board of Health Guidelines.
4) Direct managers and their superiors (director of medical operations) knew about the direct exposure and that the provider was symptomatic.
5) Direct managers and their superiors allowed provider to engage in public health, knowing she was symptomatic and had direct exposure.
6) There is no symptom or temperature check at the beginning of a shift.
7) Provider was not engaged in social distancing, quarantining, isolating, or even properly wearing a mask while caring for the public.
8) Direct manager was notified multiple times, by different employees, regarding their concern for their health, without response, or responding against CDC, MA. Board of Public Health guidelines.

For the reasons listed above, and against Chapter 64 of the Massachusetts General Court, I believe CareWell Urgent Care is in gross negligence of public health standards. The provider knew she was sick, had stated so, was in direct exposure of SARS-CoV-19, and was still allowed to practice by managers and the medical director. She willfully neglected the Center for Disease Control, MA department of health, and the Department of Worcester County Health protocols.

I appreciate, respect, and am awaiting your response.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Jesse Forrister