HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.30.20 Casey Hatcher - COVID-19 Flowchart for Employers AT0
Guidance for Regarding COVID-19 Infection and Exposure
The purpose of the guidance is to help determine next steps when being notified that aperson has been
diagnosed with COVID-19 or has been exposed to a person diagnosed with COVID-19. This guidance is not intended to
replace medical evaluation or any other recommendations by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
or the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
All information is subject to change.
BACKGROUND
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infection caused by a virus that can spread from person to person through
respiratory droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. While it is primarily spread by coming into close contact (about 6
feet) of a person who is infected with COVID-19, it may also be spread by touching a surface with the virus on it and then
touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
There is currently no vaccine to protect against COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself is to avoid being exposed to
the virus that causes COVID-19. This includes staying home as much as possible, avoiding close contact with others,
cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surface, and washing your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-
based hand sanitizer.
EPA-approved disinfectants can be found online at https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-
against-sars-cov-2. Bleach solutions (for example 1/3 cup bleach added to 1 gallon of water) and 70% alcohol solutions
are also effective alternatives if the EPA-approved disinfectants are in short supply.
Anyone who is ill should stay home. Symptoms
COVID-19 include, but are not limited to:
Everyone is at risk of getting COVID-19, but some people are at higher risk for more severe illness, including hospitalization
and death. Persons who are at higher risk include those who are over 65 years of age and people with serious underlying
medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled. More details regarding people who may be at higher risk can be
found online at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-at-higher-risk.html.
Updated 2020
When an Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19
In most cases, the Infected Employee will notify In some cases, Butte County Public Health
the employerof a positive test result. If so, notify (BCPH) will be the first to notify an employer that
Butte County Public Health, 530.552.3050.an employee tested positive.
If the Infected Employee is at home, instruct to stay home.
If Infected Employee is at work, send homeimmediately.
BCPH will determine whether the Infected Employee had prolonged direct contact (within 6 feet for
more than 15 minutes) with other employees or customers during the two days before symptoms first
started or since the case tested positive.
BCPH may not always contact an employer when an employee tests positive. Contact is made with an employer
when it is necessary to seek the employer’s assistance with identifying and reaching out to close contacts, or
when it is necessary to coordinate with the business regarding operations.
Business performs assessment of facility and In conjunction with BCPH, the business will
arranges for thorough cleaning and disinfecting of identify individuals (employees or customers)
areas where the infected employee was presentwho may have had close contact with the
while infectious.(BCPH may provide direction)Infected Employee and the last date of exposure.
BCPH will call all close contacts of Infected
Employee.
Business may allow Infected Employee to work remotely if they are well enough and are able to
perform work duties from home.
Infected Employee should not return to work until meeting criteria (see page 3 Returning to Work).
BCPH will determine when the Infected Employee is released from isolation.
Written documentation of release from isolation can be provided by BCPH.
Legend
Based on the CDC’s Cleaning and Disinfecting,and
Employer
Discontinuation of Home Isolation
BCPH
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/return-to-work.html
Collaboration
Returning to Work After Testing Positive for COVID-19
An Infected Employee who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 may not return to work until they
meet the CDC criteria for discontinuation of isolation. Butte County Public Health (BCPH) will utilize the
following Symptom/Time based strategy.
BCPH determines if the patient had symptoms consistent with a COVID-19 infection regardless if it is
before or after testing.
Symptoms
No Symptoms
At least 10 days have passed since
At least 10 days have passed since
symptom onset, (or from the testing
positive test result.
date if asymptomatic).
AND
AND
No symptoms have developed since
Infected Employee must have no fever
positive test result.
(without the use of fever-reducing
NOTE: Positive results after 10 days do not
medication) for 24 hours.
necessarily mean that the Infected
Employee is still infectious to others. There
AND
are reports of patients having positive tests
Infect
for weeks and months after no longer being
have improved.
infectious.
BCPH will determine when the Infected
Employee is released from Isolation. Recovered Employee may return to
work.
Written documentation of release from
isolation can be provided by BCPH. Employee should follow all
recommendations by their healthcare
provider and BCPH (if any), maintain
good hygiene practices, and continue to
self-monitor for any symptoms.
Legend
Cleaning and Disinfecting, and
Employer
Discontinuation of Home Isolation
BCPH
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/return-to-work.html
Individual
Close Contacts to a Lab-confirmed COVID-19 Case
Butte County Public Healthwill provide followupto close contacts. Closecontactisdefined
asbeingwithin 6 feetofaperson during theirinfectious period for 15 minutes or longer. This can
occur 2 daysbeforesymptomsappear or the positive test is collected, and during thefirst10days
from symptomonsetor the positive COVID-19test.
BCPH will monitor Employeefor symptoms during theirAllow exposed employee to work
quarantine period. Itisrecommended that all those inremotely during self-quarantine if
quarantine get tested for COVID-19 on day 3 to 5and dayable to perform duties from
14 of their quarantine period.home.
Allow exposed employee to
return to work 14 days after their
Exposed employee becomesNo
last exposure to the person who
symptomatic.Symptoms
tested positive as long as they
remain asymptomatic.
Symptomatic individuals should be
tested for COVID-19.
Exposed employee tests
Exposed employee is
negative for COVID-19,
diagnosed with COVID-19.
or diagnosed with an
illness other than
COVID-19.
Employershould follow
guidance titled, When an
Employee Tests Positive for
Exposed employee
COVID-19.
should continue their
self-quarantine period.
Written documentation
of release from self-
quarantinecan be
provided by BCPH.
Legend
Public Health Recommendations for Community-
Employer
Related Exposure,
BCPH
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/public-health-
recommendations.html
Individual
Updated2020
COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions for Employers
Who do I call when one of my employees notifies me he/she is positive for
COVID-19?
-19 Call Center at 530.552.3050 and tell the caller your
employee was notified by his/her healthcare provider of a positive COVID-19 test. Please follow
the guidance for what to do if an employee tests positive for COVID-19.
Do I have to notify the public if one my employees tests positive?
Typically, no.
Public Health investigates all COVID-19 positive cases and then traces all close contacts, which
is generally considered being closer than 6 feet for great than 15 minutes. Public Health will only
need to use a general message to the public when the case investigators are unable to identify
and locate all close contacts that may have been exposed. The general message to the public is
used to ask individuals who were possibly exposed to call Public Health directly to receive
direction. This is not typical. Usually, all close contacts can be identified during the case
investigation process.
Businesses can help limit the need for a general message by limiting close contacts. The best
way to limit close contacts is by following the State COVID-19 Industry Guidance. Find guidance
online at, https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance.
Do I have to notify my employees if one of my employees tests positive?
In some cases, yes.
Refer to the Notification and Management of Employees section of the CDPH Workplace
Employer Guidance located at, https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-
19/Workplace-Outbreak-Employer-Guidance.aspx.
Also Refer to the State Employer Playbook for reopening safely,
https://files.covid19.ca.gov/pdf/employer-playbook-for-safe-reopening--en.pdf.
Do I have to close if one of my employees tests positive?
Typically, no.
A business or facility may close temporarily to thoroughly clean and disinfect areas where a
COVID-19 positive employee was working. The areas may have already been thoroughly
cleaned after the last time the employee worked.
Find guidance online at, https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance.
Public Health will work directly with business owners or operators if the case investigation and
contact tracing activities for a COVID-19 positive person involve individuals at the place of
business. Public Health will provide direction to individuals who need to quarantine, and will
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provide guidance for businesses regarding cleaning protocols and whether the business needs
to close.
Do I have to clean my facility if one my employees tests positive?
Yes, perform more frequent cleaning and disinfection, as well as deep/enhanced cleaning and
disinfection after employees with COVID-19 have been at work. Refer to the CDPH Workplace
Employer Guidance located at, https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-
19/Workplace-Outbreak-Employer-Guidance.aspx.
Will Public Health notify me when one of my employees or customers tests
positive?
It depends.
Public Health investigates all COVID-19 positive cases and then traces all close contacts. Public
Health contacts employers when a case or close contacts are identified within the work place.
Public Health will work with you to understand how those employees and/or customers
interacted at your location, and may provide further direction regarding facility cleaning, testing,
and quarantine. Public Health may need your assistance in obtaining employee and/or customer
names and contact information.
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COVID-19 Terms and Definitions
Lab-confirmed Case
Individuals that have taken a viral COVID-19 test and received a positive result are lab-
confirmed cases.
A probable case is someone who has had close contact with a lab-confirmed case and
has symptoms consistent with COVID-19.Testing may be requested to confirm COVID-
19, depending on individual circumstances and testing availability.
Close Contact
Anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
What counts as close contact?
You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes
You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19
You had direct physical contact with the person (touched, hugged, or kissed
them)
They sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you
Isolation
Isolation is used to separate people infected with the virus (those who are sick with
symptoms as well as those with no symptoms) from people who are not infected.
others. In the home, anyone sick or infected should separate themselves from others by
a separate bathroom (if available).
Isolation lasts a minimum of 10 days from symptom onset (or from the testing date if
asymptomatic.) The person must be fever free for 24 hours, have an improvement of
symptoms and have met the 10 day minimum before the isolation period can end.
Learn more online: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-
sick/isolation.html
Quarantine
Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away
from others. Quarantine helps prevent spread of disease that can occur before a person
knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling symptoms.
People in quarantine should stay home, separate themselves from others, monitor their
health, and follow directions from their state or local health department.
Tips for how to self-quarantine:
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Stay at home for 14 days from last day of exposure.
Avoid contact with others.
s.
Learn more online: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-
sick/quarantine.html
Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers
The California Public Health Officer has designated a list of Essential Critical
Infrastructure Workers to help state, local, tribal, and industry partners as they work to
protect communities, while ensuring continuity of functions critical to public health and
safety, as well as economic and national security.
These workers may be able to work while under quarantine with protective measures in
place. When not at work, they should follow home quarantine instructions.
The list is located online: https://covid19.ca.gov/essential-workforce/
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