A man being treated for COVID-19 became aggravated and allegedly spit on a nurse and a security officer, potentially infecting both of them.

The incident occurred at about 3:30 p.m. April 6 at Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital, 2333 Biddle Ave. A registered nurse, who filed a complaint, told police she was working on the third floor, which is dedicated to infected COVID-19 patients.

The nurse said she explained the protocol regarding procedures for his care while he was in the unit, but as the day progressed, the man became increasingly agitated with staff and demanded to leave his room.

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The nurse advised him that he could not do that, which agitated him even more. He walked into the hallway and became combative. She notified security.

The man refused to listen to the directives given by the nurse and security officer.

“The staff then backed away from (the patient) at which time he stated ‘How do you like the COVID?’ and gathered a large amount of infectious sputum and spit it at the victim,” an officer wrote in a police report.

Wyandotte police said it appeared to be a clear case of the patient intentionally spitting on the nurse and security officer, who only had his best interest in mind.

“This horrendous act illustrates the hazards our health care workers are exposed to during these trying times,” said Deputy Police Chief Archie Hamilton. “Health care workers are under a great deal of stress, and despite risking their own personal safety, they continuously come to work every day in an effort to save strangers. Therefore, it is absolutely unacceptable for a patient to attack them, not only physically but mentally, adding to their emotional distress. Without question, our agency will ensure this offender is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

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