Staff Exposures, Cases, & Return to Work

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 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 enter, and while physically distanced from all other people. Exposed staff members may not eat or drink in a resident care area.

  • Staff no longer need to wear a respirator after two negative Point of Care Antigen tests performed 48 hours apart.

• 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.