Getting Your Workplace Ready After An Employee Tests Positive For COVID-19

by | Jun 8, 2021

Though people do their best to protect themselves against the ongoing COVID-19 virus, efforts can sometimes prove ineffective.

Response efforts can vary between different workplaces to ensure the safety of others. Whether someone is exposed in an office setting, a school with children present, a retail establishment, or a public space in general, it is crucial to maintain adequate protocol for everyone involved.

All businesses should have the same starting processes when it comes to a COVID-19 exposure in the workplace that comply alongside government recommendations: separating the employee from others, determine their recently visited places for contact tracing purposes, have them isolate, and decide on the risk factor. However, depending on the conditions, workplaces may have to respond differently to best suit their needs and additionally implement new strategies to warrant safety.

This article includes tips on how you can get your workplace ready for triggering COVID-19, what you should do, and when you should contact management. It also provides important information on what a positive test means for your employment status. All employees are encouraged to come forward with any concerns related to potential exposure if unsure what course of action is best.

Schools

If a staff member tests positive for COVID-19 in a school setting, they should be isolated from the classroom(s) they’ve attended. For example, if a teacher tests positive for the virus, they should remove themselves from their classroom, and note wherein the school they have been since the estimated time of exposure. This will help to prevent any further spread of the virus and reducing the risk of anyone else. Any student or other faculty who have come into contact with the infected person within the prior 24 hours are considered close contacts and may be required to take a COVID-19 test and/or self-isolate. From here, those who test positive should isolate until they:

No longer show symptoms; and
It has been 14 days since they tested positive; and
They have had no sign of a fever within the past 24 hours.

Enhanced cleaning protocols should be in place to remove any potential transmission of the virus. This may include having a seating arrangement at least 6 feet apart from others or more sanitation methods. Antimicrobial products are a great way to ensure surfaces and shared spaces are appropriately tended to before allowing others to return. By using antimicrobial products, any bacteria that are either killed or spread has been slowed to greatly reduce any risk.

The employee and any close contacts who tested positive for COVID-19 should not return to the workplace until they test negative for the virus to ensure the safety of the rest of the population.

Office Buildings

Shared office spaces are another workplace where viruses and other bacteria can spread rapidly if not treated properly. An employee is expected to follow the guidelines of their local health authority to ensure the safety of others, while the business responds appropriately for the rest of their staff.

If someone in an office test positive for COVID-19, they should isolate until they receive a negative test result or no longer feel any symptoms 14 days following their positive. Suitable sanitizing efforts should be implemented to contain the transmission, and all other employees who are deemed close contacts should monitor for symptoms as well as react appropriately.

Grocery Stores

In a high-traffic workplace like a grocery store, it is much more difficult to monitor the flow of people entering and exiting the establishment, as well as keep an accurate contact record. In this case, it is important to announce any COVID-19 outbreaks as quickly as possible to ensure the safety of patrons who are shopping.

Social distancing measures are crucial in workplaces like this, as well as having hand sanitizers dispersed throughout the establishment for use.

If an employee tests positive, it is important to have them stay home until they are no longer exhibiting symptoms for everyone’s safety. If multiple employees test positive, this may be considered an outbreak, and the specific location may need to temporarily close to properly clean and sanitize the entire establishment.

How Can You Stay Protected?

There are many steps you can take to protect yourself from the COVID-19 virus. Some of these may include:

  • Stay home if you’re sick; and
  • Wearing a mask; and
  • Maintaining social distancing of at least 6 feet from others; and
  • Wash your hands often; and
  • Implementing proper cleaning measures; and
  • Sanitize when available.

What are the Benefits of our Antimicrobial Products?

The SELECT SHIELD 360 System is a multi-step application process that works to immediately kill then prevent future pathogens from living on treated surfaces.
Our products are:

  •  Clear, colourless, odourless
  • Hypo-allergenic & non-toxic
  • 100% preventative, not reactionary
  • Non-leaching technology
  • Mechanical kill, not chemical
  • Doesn’t allow for resistances
  • Creates a permanent coating
  • Working every second of every day
  • Continue normal cleaning protocols

Our products provide safe, efficient, long-term protection against harmful bacteria and viruses. Antimicrobial treatments are better long-term decisions rather than traditional modes of cleaning and disinfecting.

We Are In Business for creating a clean, safe work environment. It is all of our responsibility to ensure we are all protected against COVID-19.

Call Select Shield today for immediate assistance or send us an email and we will respond within 24 hours.

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