Employee Requirements for COVID-19 Exposure, Infection, Suspect Infection

I. PURPOSE

It is the purpose of this policy to define the New York Medical College and Touro College of Dental Medicine (“College”) employee protocol to define requirements for Health Services notification in cases of exposure to COVID-19 infection, confirmed or suspect COVID-19 infection.

II.  DEFINITIONS:

1. Close Contact/ Exposure:
   Close contact to COVID-19 infection in a community setting is defined as sharing the same household, direct physical contact, direct contact with infectious secretions, or being within 6 feet of a person with COVID-19 infection for 15 minutes.
   Close contact in a health care setting is dependent upon the nature of the exposure and the personal protective equipment in use. Guidance is provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
   
   
2. COVID-19 Recovered: History of laboratory confirmed COVID-19 infection within the past 90 days.
3. Excused Absences: Isolation or quarantine will result in potential
4. Isolation: A restriction required to prevent spread of infection from persons with confirmed or suspect COVID-19 infection.
5. Quarantine: A restriction required for persons who may be incubating COVID-19 infection due to contact /exposure to infection.
   1. The procedures for isolation and for quarantine are provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation | CDC
6. Up-to-Date COVID-19 Vaccination: Receipt of a complete primary series of a vaccine and receipt of a booster(s) when eligible in accordance with CDC recommendations

III. BACKGROUND

1. Symptoms of COVID-19 infection may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the SARS- CoV-2 The median incubation period from exposure to onset of symptoms is 5-7 days.
2. The symptoms of COVID-19 infection are: Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste orsmell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea. Seek Medical Attention Immediately for trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, bluish lips or face.
3. COVID-19 infection, whether confirmed or suspect, requires Isolation. For confirmed cases, the duration of Isolation is defined by the NYSDOH. The NYSDOH follows a symptom-based strategy for the discontinuation of isolation. For asymptomatic persons, duration is dependent upon time from the date a diagnostic test was performed. The date of onset of symptoms or, for asymptomatic persons, the date of the positive COVID-19 diagnostic test, is day zero.
4. Persons with COVID-19 infection are considered “infectious” for 48 hours before symptom onset, and thus may expose others to infection during this 48 hour period.
5. COVID-19 close exposure requires self-quarantine apart from work or school only if the exposed person has not been vaccinated or does not have up -to-date vaccination, meaning the person is eligible for a booster but has not received a booster.
6. All cases of confirmed COVID-19 infection are reported to the Westchester County Department of Health.
7. The requirements for notification to Health Services, isolation, quarantine, testing, and what is needed for clearance by Health Services are summarized below

IV. PROCEDURES

Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 Case

1.      Discuss with your physician and notify Health Services of your status

2.     Begin isolation as per CDC: COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation | CDC(opens in a new tab) ; Isolate at least 5 days

3.     Send Health_Services@nymc.edu a PDF copy of your diagnostic test result AND

4.     Notify exposures = people you were with, within 6 feet for a cumulative 15 minutes, during 48 hours before symptoms or positive test (for asymptomatic persons). Provide Health Services with names of exposed NYMC/TCDM persons and date of last exposure.

5.     Health Services will issue you a Start Isolation letter which includes the symptom log which must be completed for clearance to return to school. This letter is copied to your supervisor.

6.     Isolate for 5 days after day of symptom onset, or day of positive test if asymptomatic

7.     Return symptom log to Health Services after day 5 if one is clearly improved and afebrile; if not better, isolate for 10 days and return log.

8.     Health Services will issue a clearance from isolation letter.

9.     After release from isolation, continue symptom monitoring for the full 10 days AND wear a surgical face or higher level of protection for the full 10 days after symptom onset . 

10.  Immunocompromised persons may require longer isolation.

Suspected SARS-CoV-2 Case

1.     You may inform Health Services or your physician of your status.

2.     Begin self isolation as per CDC protocol: COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation | CDC(opens in a new tab)

3.     Seek a diagnostic test. Obtain a SARS-CoV-2 Antigen test or a PCR / molecular test, or Health Services has home antigen tests available for your use. Call Health Services 914-594-4234 to arrange pick up.

4.     Health Services will issue a letter excusing you from work if COVID-19 is highly suspect.

COVID-19 Exposure

Travel Requirements

1.     All persons should be up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccination before travel.

2.     If you test positive for SARS-CoV-2 upon return notify Health_Services@nymc.edu

V. END ITEMS FROM THE POLICY REFERENCE WEBSITES 

• New York State Department of Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

VI.   EFFECTIVE DATE

This policy is effective immediately.

VII. POLICY MANAGEMENT

Executive Stakeholder: Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer
Oversight Office: NYMC Health Services