Covid-positive disability support workers allowed to work during infectious period due to ‘very specific’ client needs

Disability support workers with Covid are allowed to keep working – despite being infectious – because of the number of staff forced off work during the pandemic.

Disability support workers with Covid-19 are being allowed to continue working during their infectious period in an attempt to make up for the number of staff forced to stay home.

Disability advocates have criticised the move, saying it’s putting some of society’s most vulnerable at greater risk.

In a statement, SA Health said permission has been given to some workers “due to the very specific needs of some clients in the disability sector”.

“This would allow those complex-needs clients to continue to receive their required one-on-one care, particularly if both the worker and client have both tested positive,” it read.

Some disability support workers have been allowed to return to work while still infectious with Covid-19, stunning disability advocates. Picture: file

Disability Rights Advocacy Service chief executive David McGinlay said it was a “kneejerk reaction” caused by a shortfall in disability support workers.

“I don’t think they made the right call,” he said.

“By not doing it, they’re leaving clients vulnerable to a lack of support … (but) by doing it, they’re leaving clients vulnerable to the to the virus itself.”

SA Health revealed the policy following an inquiry from The Advertiser, but did not answer questions about how many care providers had been granted approval.

One of the approved providers, Minda, said the practice was “widespread”.

Minda’s workforce was thrust under extreme pressure after nearly 38 staff and six clients tested positive to the virus and an additional 196 were in isolation last week.

SA Health’s statement said Covid-positive care workers allowed to return to work were subject to a strict set of rules.

“All disability care workers are required to be vaccinated, and if there is a situation where the worker has tested positive and have been given permission to continue to work if they are well enough, they must be wearing full PPE at all times,” it said.

“(They must) not interact with other staff such as in tea rooms where there is risk of transmission, and must remain at home and continue to isolate there for the remaining time when they are not at work until they are cleared of Covid.”

Leaked Minda emails show rostering co-ordinators have sought to fill shifts with Covid-positive workers as early as December.

“We are looking for staff to look after clients who contracted Covid,” a December 31 email reads. “Staff should be Covid +.”

In a statement, Minda said the practice was in the best interests of clients and staff.

“This approach to delivery of care is now widespread across the sector and ensures everyone’s safety,” it said. “Families have been advised as appropriate.”

Mr McGinlay added informed consent should also be obtained before a person living with disability was exposed to a Covid-positive carer.

“In the instance where families don’t want to put the person with disability at risk, (Minda) should be flexible to allow other service providers into the facility that aren’t Covid-positive,” he said.

Opposition human services spokeswoman Nat Cook said South Australians will be “shocked” at the arrangement.

“Nowhere else are Covid-positive staff allowed out of isolation to go to work — so why are people with disabilities being placed at higher risk?” she said.

SA Health said it was “not aware” of any of its own frontline continuing to work while positive for Covid-19.