Employee of state campground tests positive for COVID-19

Burlingame State Park Campground. Photo courtesy RI DEM

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Three employees of the contractor that runs a Rhode Island state campground are temporarily off the job after one of them tested positive for the coronavirus, according to statement Wednesday from the state Department of Environmental Management.

The employee who tested positive is part of a team that cleans restrooms at Burlingame State Campground in Charlestown from 3 p.m. until 11 p.m. Because restrooms are closed while being cleaned, the staff has little interaction with public.

The workers also wear gloves and masks.

The worker, who learned of the positive test result on Monday, worked four days while symptomatic, last working Sunday, the department said.

The state’s campgrounds reopened June 30 at limited capacity. At Burlingame, the state’s largest campground, the state reduced capacity by 15%, closing 106 campsites out of 720.