Guidance for Asymptomatic Healthcare, Law Enforcement and Public Health Workers with Exposure to COVID-19

This document contains information regarding novel coronavirus/COVID-19, and healthcare providers, law enforcement officers, and public health workers who are asymptomatic to the virus and are ready to return to work.  Per the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), they people must remain symptom free and follow the guidelines stated below.

High Risk

What is considered high-risk?

• Healthcare personnel (HCP) who had close contact with a COVID-19 patient, and was not wearing a facemask or recommended personal protective equipment (PPE).
• HCP had close contact with a COVID-19 patient that was not wearing a facemask, and was wearing some PPE, but not a facemask or respirator.

If I am high risk HCP, what are my restrictions?

• It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you:
  • Quarantine in a location determined appropriate by the Sedgwick County Health Department (SCHD) for 14 days since last exposure.
  • Air travel only allowed via medical transport.
  • Local travel only allowed by medical transport or private vehicle. You should also wear a facemask.
• It is acceptable to do the following:
  • If you are part of the critical health care, law enforcement, or responding to the pandemic, with the approval of the SCHD Health Officer and your employer, you can continue to work and self-monitor for symptoms twice per day.
  • Air travel only allowed via medical transport.
  • Local travel only allowed by medical transport or private vehicle, should be wearing a face mask.

If I am a high risk HCP, what monitoring is required?

• Daily active monitoring with SCHD to establish regular communication to assess for fever or lower respiratory symptoms.
  • Contact will be made at least once daily with the SCHD.
• Self-monitoring with delegated supervision is recommended for high risk HCP should, and they should also remain alert for fever and lower respiratory symptoms within 14 days since their exposure.
  • The SCHD will contact this persons, and provide information on self-monitoring for symptoms.
  • The facilities (your employer) occupational health or infection control program will coordinate monitoring with the SCHD.

Medium Risk

What is considered medium-risk?

• Healthcare personnel (HCP) who had close contact with a COVID-19 patient, and was not wearing a facemask, AND the HCP was wearing PPE, but not eye protection.
• HCP had close contact with a COVID-19 patient that was wearing a facemask, AND the HCP was not wearing PPE.
• HCP had close contact with a COVID-19 patient what was wearing a facemask AND the HCP was wearing some PPE, but not a facemask or respirator.

If I am medium risk HCP, what are my restrictions?

• It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you:
  • Quarantine in a location determined appropriate by the Sedgwick County Health Department (SCHD) for 14 days since last exposure.
  • Avoid large public settings, limit public activities, and practice social distancing, and avoid public transit or cabs.
• It is acceptable to do the following:
  • If you are part of the critical health care, law enforcement, or responding to the pandemic, with the approval of the SCHD Health Officer and your employer, you can continue to work and self-monitor for symptoms twice per day.
  • Air travel only allowed via medical transport
  • Avoid large public settings, limit public activities, and practice social distancing, and avoid public transit or cabs.
  • Postpone any long-distance travel.

If I am a medium risk HCP, what monitoring is required?

• Daily active monitoring with SCHD to establish regular communication to assess for fever or lower respiratory symptoms.
  • Contact will be made at least once daily with the SCHD for 14 days since last exposure.
• Self-monitoring with delegated supervision is recommended for high risk HCP should, and they should also remain alert for fever and lower respiratory symptoms within 14 days since their exposure.
  • The SCHD will contact this persons, and provide information on self-monitoring for symptoms.
  • The facilities (your employer) occupational health or infection control program will coordinate monitoring with the SCHD.

Low Risk

What is considered low risk?

• Healthcare personnel (HCP) who had close contact with a COVID-19 patient that was NOT wearing a facemask, AND the HCP was wearing some PPE, but was not wearing a gown or gloves.
• HCP had close contact with a COVID-19 patient that was NOT wearing a facemask, AND the HCP was wearing all recommended PPE, but was wearing a facemask instead of a respirator.
• HCP had close contact with a COVID-19 patient what was wearing a facemask AND the HCP was wearing some PPE, but was not wearing eye protection or was not wearing gown or gloves.
• HCP had close contact with a COVID-19 patient what was wearing a facemask AND the HCP was wearing all recommended PPE, but was wearing a facemask instead of a respirator.
• HCP had proper adherence to all recommended infection control practices, including wearing all recommended PPE.

If I am low risk HCP, what are my restrictions?

• No restrictions, as long as you remain asymptomatic (not displaying symptoms).

If I am a low risk HCP, what monitoring is required?

• Self-monitoring with delegated supervision is recommended for high risk HCP should, and they should also remain alert for fever and lower respiratory symptoms within 14 days since their exposure.
  • The SCHD will contact this persons, and provide information on self-monitoring for symptoms.
  • The facilities (your employer) occupational health or infection control program will coordinate monitoring with the SCHD.

Overall, what criteria must I meet to be allowed to return to work?

• First, your employer must allow it. Please check with your supervisor.
• You must still monitor for symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) for 14 days after exposure.
• You should wear a face mask at all times.
• You must participate in daily active monitoring with the Sedgwick County Health Department.

What happens if I do develop COVID-19 symptoms?

If you do develop symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath), you should immediately isolate at home and notify the Sedgwick County Health Department at 316-660-7300.