Rhode Island doctors hit with COVID infractions

Dr. Daniel Hochberger was upset and frustrated when an NBC 10 News reporter called his office Tuesday.

"The bullying needs to stop and they poked the wrong bear," he said.

Hochberger is referring to the Rhode Island Department of Health after an inspector issued an immediate compliance order on his Rumford practice last week.

"I have problem with that and closing me down and making this go all over the news. That's an issue," said Hochberger.

A health inspector noted a list of problems, including: no COVID plan or posted signage, stacks of magazines in the waiting area with too many chairs for social distancing, questionable cleanliness, and two out of three employees not wearing protective masks.

"Did the inspector ask to see me? No. Would he have gotten this policy if he asked to see me? Absolutely," said Hochberger.

The doctor showed NBC 10 a COVID safety plan he said was signed by employees back in March. As for the masks, he said it was lunch time.

"Clearly, it's very tough to eat lunch with a mask on. We wear masks continually in the office and follow COVID protocols completely," he said.

On Mineral Spring Avenue in North Providence, the office of Dr. Anthony Farina was also hit with a compliance order.

An inspector noted similar issues there: employees not wearing face coverings correctly, no posted signage or a written safe operation plan. In the past, Farina and the town battled over a boarded up building he owned, and when had an artist paint a portrait of Mayor Charles Lombardi on a toilet.

Multiple attempts to reach Farina's office were unsuccessful.

The Department of Health told NBC 10 News that both offices were reinspected and cleared to open.