Despite all of our hopes and prayers for an end to the pandemic, we still have employees who are exposed to or testing positive for COVID-19, and we still need to figure out how to deal with those issues. The CDC issued new guidance on the length of time a non-healthcare employee must isolate or quarantine and that is what we all need to follow. There are different guidelines for healthcare workers.
So, what should you be asking your employees who call to say they have had a positive COVID-19 test?
Your employee calls and reports a positive COVID-19 test. Per the guidance, the employee must isolate for five days, whether or not the employee is vaccinated, boosted, or unvaccinated.
When does the five-day period begin? That depends on whether the employee has symptoms.
With symptoms: Day 1 of isolation is the first full day of symptoms. Let’s say Employee Anne started feeling bad on Sunday night and wakes up feeling worse on Monday morning. Monday is Day 1 of isolation. So, when Anne calls in sick, you should ask her when she started having symptoms.
With no symptoms: Day 1 of isolation is the day after the positive test. Let’s say Employee Will has a positive test but is asymptomatic. You should ask Will when he tested positive.
As with all things COVID-19, that depends.
After Day 5, you should ask Will whether he developed any symptoms. If he didn’t, he can come back to work...
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