New London Hospital Fined For Coronavirus Violations: Report

NEW LONDON, CT — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued three citations and proposed $15,422 in fines against Lawrence + Memorial Hospital over coronavirus violations, according to The Day. The citations and fines are connected with the death of Elva Graveline, a nurse's aid who died from COVID-19 complications.

One citation against the hospital for $13,494 was a requirement that employers establish and implement a written respiratory protection program.

An L+M spokesperson took issue with the OSHA citations, saying that the hospital provided appropriate personal protective equipment for staff and that protocols were in line with U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, The Day reported.

See related: New London Nurse's Aide Dies From Coronavirus

Elva Graveline, 52, a nurse's aide at the hospital, died after contracting COVID-19 in May.

A local healthcare workers' union held a rally in May in remembrance of Graveline. They claimed that nurses were overwhelmed and lacking personal protective equipment, according to The Day.