BOARDMAN, Ohio - The level of covid-19 hospitalizations is stretching local hospital staff levels so thin, some are moving to a policy that allows covid-19 positive employees to return to work in certain cases.

Mercy Health, Salem Regional and UPMC are among the hospital systems now working under the CDC's contingency and crisis level guidelines. The federal guidelines were last updated on December 23.

Workers who have mild covid symptoms or none at all, can return to their roles after five days or less.

It's recommended all covid positive employees wear an N-95 mask and not work with immunocompromised patients.

"It's a risk, but it's also kind of a stop gap I think, I see why they're doing it," Dr. Ben Neuman said, a virologist at Texas A&M University. "If the hospitals shutdown, then covid is a much worse problem than it is if they're open."

21 News Coronavirus Expert Doctor Ben Neuman says workers could still spread the virus if they misjudge their symptoms.

"If you're dealing with the stress of what can be a very stressful environment in the hospital, you may be putting those people who are already sick with a fairly serious disease at greater risk," he said.

None of the local hospital systems were available for interviews to take our questions on Tuesday, but did release statements.

Salem Regional tells 21 News in a statement:

“Salem Regional Medical Center is currently following the updated CDC guidelines for healthcare worker restrictions with SARS CoV-2 Infection and Exposures, related to the CDC’s contingency and crisis framework. As our top priority, SRMC continues to take enhanced safety measures to best protect the health and safety of our staff and patients during this crisis period.”

Mercy Health also released this statement earlier this week:

"Mercy Health is seeing our highest number of COVID-19 hospitalizations since the start of the pandemic. Given the current volume in our communities and the severe strain on our staff and facilities, we are updating our employee return-to-work guidelines for COVID-19 positive employees who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. If those employees feel well enough to fulfill their role, they can now return to work as soon as they choose to do so.

While we are taking extraordinary steps to best serve our patients during this crisis period, the health and safety of our patients and employees remains our priority to ensure we can continue to care for all patients, while maintaining our commitment to quality. We have updated our Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) policy to support our new return-to-work guidelines, and we will follow strict adherence to these safety precautions."

Steward's Trumbull Regional Medical Center did not say if it's adjusting its return to work policy. It provided the following statement:

“Steward’s Trumbull Regional Medical Center, Sharon Regional Medical Center and Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital comply with all CDC COVID-19 prevention guidelines and remain ready to serve the needs of our communities with ample capacity. We also continue to encourage community members to get vaccinated and a booster shot.”

UPMC is following the CDC guidelines for returning workers as the hospital system is experiencing the second highest peak of Covid-19 inpatients since the end of 2020. Employees must test negative with an at-home antigen test on day five of isolation before returning to their roles.

UPMC issued this statement:

"Although UPMC facilities are operating at or near capacity, we remain open for patients in all the communities we serve. Currently, UPMC staff members who have been recently COVID-19 positive and are asymptomatic or have mild and improving symptoms can choose to return to work after five days of isolation, provided they receive a negative at-home antigen test on day five. There are many variables impacting hospital operations and any necessary  changes to our protocols would be implemented with the health and safety or our staff, patients and visitors as the primary concern."