The number of positive COVID-19 cases in the Morongo Basin is at 123, and still rising. With many businesses and enterprises reopening, employers and employees are asking how they should respond if an employee tests positive for COVID-19. The answer is simple: the infected employee must stay home and self-quarantine for at least 10 days following the first appearance of symptoms, and must show improvement in resolving their cough or shortness of breath. Hilary Sloane has guidance from the County Health Department about what to do if an employee’s family members is exposed …
If an employee has a household member who tests positive, the first step is to determine whether the employee had prolonged exposure in the prior two days to the infected person. If not, the employee may continue to work as long as close contact with the infected household member can be avoided.
On the other hand, an employee who has had prolonged exposure to an infected person should remain at home under quarantine until 14 days after the infected household member has been released from isolation.
If the employee develops no symptoms during this period, he or she may return to work 14 days after the infected individual has been released from isolation. An employee who does develop symptoms should contact a doctor and be tested.
With many businesses and enterprises reopening, employers and employees are asking how they should respond if an employee tests positive for COVID-19. The answer is simple: the infected employee must stay home and self-quarantine for at least 10 days following the first appearance of symptoms.
In addition, the individual must show improvement in resolving respiratory symptoms (such as a cough or shortness of breath). Once the employee returns to work, they should follow all public health recommendations, maintain good hygiene and continue to self-monitor for symptoms.
The County’s Department of Public Health has put together a detailed flow-chart for employers to reference, which can be found here. This information can and should be shared with the workforce.
