July 21st, 2020 by WCBC Radio
The Cumberland Times News reports some employees at UPMC Western Maryland have tested positive for COVID-19, but the hospital system will not release numbers or details. In response to an email from Cumberland Times-News Tuesday, UPMC Western Maryland Media Relations Specialist Ed DeWitt said the hospital system is working with the Allegany County Health Department on contact tracing to notify people that might have been exposed to the workers. "In the interest of patient privacy," UPMC Western Maryland would not answer CTN's questions including how many employees tested positive, when and where they were tested, or what departments they work in.
Additionally, UPMC Western Maryland did not issue a press release on the matter.
UPMC Western Maryland is open, operating normally and ready to provide care, he said.
.jpg)
July 21, 2020 at 4:55 pm, mac said:
The hospital is open and ready to provide care. If you are sick they will make you better. If there is nothing wrong with you they may infect you with the virus.
They are the only game in town. If we need medical attention what are we to do?
July 21, 2020 at 7:07 pm, Ron said:
Wouldn’t you think a hospital would release pertinent info.
July 21, 2020 at 7:14 pm, Peter said:
In other words, UPMC was trying (and still is) to cover up that employees tested positive for Covid19. Why is that information treated as “Top Secret” and hidden behind “In the interest of patient privacy”, which is utterly BS? Reporting the number of employees infected does not affect in any way patient privacy.
July 21, 2020 at 7:21 pm, mac said:
Think what this will do to the good will they always tout with the donations to this, that, and the other thing.
It’s all a smoke screen, a cover up to take attention away from their lax protection measures.
At this point in time they do not deserve our trust or respect.
July 22, 2020 at 4:13 am, DPM said:
> Agree!