PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The Rhode Island Department of Health has suspended the license of a nursing home administrator accused of forcing an employee to work despite testing positive for COVID-19, 12 News has learned.

Kristine Pacheco reportedly directed the employee to return to work prior to the end of her seven-day isolation period, according to a suspension notice made public by the Health Department earlier this month.

Pacheco repeatedly asked the employee to prepare residents’ meals without supervision, even though the suspension notice stated she “was not properly trained, certified or licensed to do such work.”

The employee tested positive for COVID-19 on July 31. The suspension notice claimed she was told to leave by an infection prevention specialist and not return until Aug. 7.

But Pacheco directed her to return to work on Aug. 3 to cook in the kitchen, even though she was only four days into her mandatory isolation period.

The employee prepared residents’ meals that weekend as requested. Thirteen residents contracted the virus later that week, the suspension notice said.

Rhode Island Health Director Jerome Larkin temporarily suspended Pacheco’s license upon determining that she “engaged in behavior that constituted ‘gross unprofessional conduct'” by potentially exposing the nursing home’s residents to COVID-19.

The suspension notice stopped short of identifying the nursing home where this happened. The Health Department told 12 News the nursing home was not identified in the suspension notice because the issue solely involves Pacheco’s license and not the facility’s.

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