*Measures to be taken through “day 10”
- Counting days from symptom onset: The day symptoms start is day “zero."
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Report your positive test to [email protected] and mailto:[email protected], in addition to your supervisor.
- Employee self-monitors symptoms and seeks medical evaluation as needed and reevaluation if symptoms return after resolving
- Employee and healthcare provider, if needed, determine safe RTW date
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Employee will continue to practice proper hand hygiene and wear a mask at all times while at work
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Maintain social distance during breaks; mask when not eating and drinking
*Patient visits:
- Managers should re-assign immunocompromised patients to other staff
- An N95 (sized by fit test) OR a surgical mask or double masks that fits snugly over the bridge of the nose and below the chin without any gaps (use ear loop techniques to improve fit)
- Full face shield or eye protection must also be worn
- PAPRs or 3M6000s must have an exhalation valve cover
*Non-patient care activities:
- Well-fitting surgical or medical mask(s) that fit snugly all around, with no gaps.
What is meant by “mild Illness?”
Having symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, sore throat, malaise, headache, muscle pain) without shortness of breath, dyspnea, or abnormal chest imaging.
What is meant by “severe illness?” Illness that required ICU-level hospital admission
What is considered a “fever?” Per CDC: For the purpose of this guidance, fever is defined as subjective fever (feeling feverish) or a measured temperature of 100.0oF (37.8oC) or higher. Note that fever may be intermittent or may not be present in some people, such as those who are elderly, immunocompromised, or taking certain fever-reducing medications (e.g., nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDS]).
What qualifies as “immunocompromised?” CDC definition of moderate or severely immunocompromised patients: a) Been receiving active cancer treatment of tumors or cancers in the blood, b) Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system, c) Received a stem cell transplant within the past two years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system d) Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome) e) Advanced or untreated HIV infection f) Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that suppress the immune system
When should I get tested for COVID-19? If you, a close contact, or a household member is symptomatic or tests positive, you should test. It is worth mentioning that many people become infected while traveling- be alert to symptoms after traveling; it might not be just “jet lag.”
What are the symptoms of covid-19? Cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fever or chills, fatigue/ malaise, muscle/ body aches. Different strains may have different associated symptoms; this COVID-19 infection may not feel the same as a prior COVID-19 infection.
Where can I get tested for covid-19? Doctor's offices, retail pharmacies, and urgent care centers typically offer testing. Home test kits are available at retail pharmacies. Tests are available at various locations: pharmacies, doctors’ offices, and urgent care centers. Report positive tests to [email protected] AND [email protected]. Capital Caring is not conducting on-site testing for employees at this time.
What If I have symptoms, but my test result is negative? If you are symptomatic and a test result from the first 48 hours of symptoms is negative, you should re-test after another 24-48 hours.
Do I need a Doctors note? Follow HR policy 433 and follow your supervisor’s guidance regarding doctor's notes.
Can I work remotely? Contact your supervisor or HR for guidance.
What if I re-test negative after testing positive? Continue to take precautions based on testing positive through day 10 after your symptoms first began or, if asymptomatic, the day you tested positive.
How will I be paid for missed time from work? Absence due to COVID-19 illness is paid from your sick PTO balance, just as any other sick time away from work.
What if I was exposed to someone who tested positive? If you have been exposed to someone who tested positive, maintain good hand hygiene, maintain social distance, disinfect surfaces, cover coughs / sneezes with elbows, and mask whenever sick with anything possibly contagious. Similarly, those with a need to use extra precautions to protect either themselves or their close contacts, may choose to mask all the time. Everyone who can get the vaccine and boosters, should. The person can choose to take a test and respond accordingly based on the test results.
8/28/23:
- We are monitoring rising COVID-19 infection rates across our service areas; rates have slightly increased but remain in the “low” range.
- It is anticipated that rates may continue to rise over the fall and winter months.
- Booster vaccinations and adherence to established infection control measures remain the most effective tools to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- All CCH employees are urged to remain current with COVID-19 booster vaccinations and practice sound infection control practices while at and away from work.
This information and future updates can be found on-demand:
Background:
A Symptom-based protocol is in place to guide employees infected with COVID-19 on returning to work (RTW). This is a change from the Test-based strategy we followed during the pandemic. Under the Test-based protocol, the RTW date was based upon how many days had passed since the onset of symptoms or the first positive test and required two negative tests in order to return to work, resulting in at least 7-10 days missed from work. As knowledge evolves, so do safety recommendations.
Under a Symptom-based protocol, the RTW date is based on factors such as the severity of symptoms, the presence of fever, and your immune system status. You self-assess and determine if you are able to RTW based on this symptom-based protocol. In many cases, this will allow you to RTW sooner than 10 days. Follow HR policy 433 and your manager's instructions regarding physician's notes to return to work.
