In an effort at greater public transparency, the CEO of Springhill Medical Center said Thursday evening that 12 of the hospital’s employees had tested positive for COVID-19.

The positive test results came over the last three weeks. A handful of the dozen have already returned to work while most are recovering in quarantine.

“Of the dozen that tested positive, all have recovered at home with the exception of one who was hospitalized briefly and that employee is fine as well,” said Jeff St. Clair, President & CEO of Springhill Medical Center.

Around half of those who tested positive work around patients, increasing the likelihood that some could be nurses. The remaining positive employees are support staff and work in other areas of the hospital.

"They do know the risks but I think they also know a hospital work environment is probably safest place in the community you can be,” said St. Clair. “Everybody is in a mask. All our patients are in masks when we transport. Everyone gets their temperature taken when they cross the threshold to come back in the building. Everyone knows to self-report any type of COVID-type symptoms.”

He added: "Not a single positive came from anybody working on the isolation units, so these are most like community acquired.”

The hospital has around 1200 employees, he said.

The hospital has typically had about 30 to 15 COVID-19 patients on any given day. Between 10 and 20 cases are awaiting results.