MEDIC says it will maintain ability to respond in case of COVID-19 surge

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — MEDIC said Tuesday it is now transporting about five to seven positive COVID-19 patients each day.

Channel 9′s Gina Espositio confirmed a paramedic in Charlotte tested positive for COVID-19 on April 1, according to MEDIC.

MEDIC said nearly one week later it has tested 12 employees and none have tested positive. On Tuesday, officials said 19 employees were in quarantine.

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MEDIC said Tuesday it has been taking all the steps to ensure their staff remains safe.

Esposito asked what the agency would do if the county saw a sudden spike in cases.

“We’ve developed a procedure that will help continue to staff our services and maintain our ability to respond with up to a 40% decrease in staff availability,” said Jon Studneck, MEDIC deputy director. “That process requires the use of administrative personnel who are duel-certified paramedics, who come out of their administrative roles and respond. They too manipulate schedules to increase hours and increase overtime.”

MEDIC said the last time the infected paramedic worked on an ambulance was March 26. Channel 9 was told the employee took their temperature before their shift and they were fine.

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On March 29, the employee called MEDIC to report they had COVID-19 symptoms.

According to MEDIC, their employee took the test the next day and results came back April 1 that showed they had the virus.

“The individual did not transport a COVID-19 positive patient. However, they’ve been in and out of the hospital systems, that have had many high-risk situations,” said MEDIC deputy director, Jon Studnek.

There are typically two paramedics working inside each ambulance. Channel 9 was told an employee who was with the paramedic who tested positive has never shown symptoms and is not in quarantine.

“This individual’s partner is aware and was not exposed while the person was symptomatic, which is good and so they are tracking their symptoms, we are managing that employee as we manage all potential exposures within our system,” said Studnek.

Channel 9 asked if the paramedic’s partner is still working on the MEDIC trucks.

“They are still working on the trucks, low-risk exposure. She was not exposed to this employee while they were working,” Studnek responded.

MEDIC staff has been notified of the first confirmed case.

A lot of medical workers are concerned about their supply of personal protective equipment.

MEDIC said it’s short on gowns, which protect droplets from getting on employees’ uniforms.

Face masks have been donated to the agency.

No other details have been released.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

Paramedic in Charlotte tests positive for COVID-19, MEDIC confirms Paramedic in Charlotte tests positive for COVID-19, MEDIC confirms

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