Outbreak Management

An exposure is defined as being within 6 feet for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period to the COVID-19-positive person.

• All staff are educated to notify the facility if they are exposed to COVID-19 outside of the facility.
• For each staff member identified as having an exposure, calculate the date through which they need to wear a respirator or well-fitting mask at all times, usually 10 days after the Last Exposure Date. Notify the staff member(s) of their masking requirements:
  • Must wear a respirator (KN95 or N95) or well-fitting mask at all times when in the facility, removing the respirator or mask only when eating or drinking.
  • Eating and drinking are only permitted in areas where residents are unlikely to enter, and while physically distanced from all other people. Exposed staff members may not eat or drink in a resident care area.
• Exposed staff members should self-monitor for fever and symptoms of COVID-19 and not report to work when ill or if testing positive for COVID-19 infection.
• Test exposed staff, with a nasal specimen (Antigen (preferred) or PCR) every other day starting 1 day after the First Exposure Date and continuing until 6 days after the Last Exposure Date (usually a total of 3 tests).
• Do not test staff within 30 days of testing positive for COVID-19.

• Facility leadership should determine and communicate if the facility is following Conventional, Contingency, or Crisis Strategy to mitigate staff shortages and should follow all CDC recommendations.
  • Conventional Strategy Return to Work Criteria for Staff with Confirmed COVID-19
  • Contingency Strategy Return to Work Criteria for Staff with Confirmed COVID-19
• For staff members returning to work before meeting CDC Criteria, calculate the date through which they need to wear a respirator (KN95 or N95) at all times, usually 10 days after the Onset Date. Notify the staff members of their respirator requirements:
  • Must wear a respirator at all times when in the facility, removing the respirator only when eating or drinking.
  • Eating and drinking are only permitted in areas where residents are unlikely to enter, and while physically distanced from all other people. Exposed staff members may not eat or drink in a resident care area.

• Staff who report new onset of any symptoms of COVID-19 should be excluded from work unless a negative PCR test for COVID-19 is obtained or two negative Antigen tests for COVID-19, 48 hours apart, are obtained.
• Staff with chronic conditions that mimic symptoms of COVID-19, such as allergies, COPD, headaches, and irritable bowel syndrome should, when experiencing the symptoms of their chronic condition:
  • Self-monitor for other symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Perform a Point-of-Care Antigen COVID-19 test every 2-3 days.
  • Wear a respirator or well-fitting mask at all times, except when eating or drinking.
  • Not eat or drink in resident care areas.
  • Be restricted from work if they test positive or develop other symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever or chills, fatigue, muscle or body aches, or new loss of taste or smell, unless a negative PCR test for COVID-19 is obtained.