Whistleblower claims HHS failed to protect workers from coronavirus

More than a dozen HHS workers sent to receive American evacuees from Wuhan, China––where the novel coronavirus originated––without proper training and protective gear, according to a whistleblower complaint reported by The Washington Post.

The whistleblower alleged she was unfairly reassigned after raising concerns about the safety of the workers, who were not tested for coronavirus, dubbed COVID-19, and did not show symptoms of infection. Her complaint was filed Feb. 26 with independent watchdog agency, the Office of the Special Counsel, The Post reported.

The complaint also alleges the workers were exposed to the virus and appropriate steps were not taken to protect them. Specifically, the workers had face-to-face contact with returning passengers from China, handing out identification ribbons and room keys. The workers were alongside CDC workers who were fully outfitted in hazmat attire and protective gear in some instances. According to the whistleblower, HHS also broke protocol when it came to what kinds of employees responded to the health emergency.

The whistleblower’s allegations comes as the first patient to be infected with COVID-19 who did not travel or have known contact with an infected person was confirmed in California.

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