Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Student Services Work Experience Staff: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
March 15, 2020
Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.
The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.*
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Fever
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Cough
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Shortness of breath
***See CDC Fact Sheet: Symptoms of Coronavirus Disease 2019
Separate sick employees:
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CDC recommends that employees who appear to have acute respiratory illness symptoms (i.e. cough, shortness of breath, fever greater than 100.4 degrees) upon arrival to work or become sick during the day should be separated from other employees and be sent home immediately.
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Sick employees should cover their noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or an elbow or shoulder if no tissue is available).
***See CDC Fact Sheet: What to do if you are sick with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019)
PROCEDURE:
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At our administrative office:
a. If the employee can drive themselves, they should be advised to go home.
b. If the employee cannot drive themselves, contact Andrea Fournier for a location to isolate the individual from the rest of the staff. Time will be limited to a maximum of 2 hours before release.
c. Employees who exhibit symptoms will be moved to the isolation room for holding and comfort. If need be, a staff member will remain nearby until the person is evaluated by public health (if requested by authorities) and released to home self-care.
d. When there is a diagnosis of COVID-19, close for 48-72 hours to provide opportunity for full disinfection of the office.
2. At WEX Program work-sites:
a. If the student participating in work-based learning at a work-site can drive themselves, they should be advised to go home, and Andrea Fournier (916)341-9068 should be contacted immediately.
b. If the student participating in work-based learning at a work-site cannot drive themselves, the student and/or work-site supervisor must contact Andrea Fournier (916)341-9068 to identify a location to isolate the individual from the rest of the work-site’s personnel. Time will be limited to a maximum of 2 hours before release.
c. Student’s participating in work-based learning at a work-site who exhibit symptoms will be moved to the designated isolation room for holding and comfort until appropriate transportation arrives. sonder SOLUTIONS and the work-site supervisor will assign someone to remain nearby or on the phone with the student participating in work-based learning until the person is evaluated by public health (if requested by authorities) and released to home self-care.
***CDC Fact Sheet: Share Facts about COVID-19
Social Distancing
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For salaried personnel and hourly personnel and students participating in work-based learning, it is recommended that all persons maintain a 6-foot personal buffer of space from all other people and practice good personal hygiene.
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A handwashing flyer was sent out through Zenefits on March 14. This information must be observed. Actively encourage sick participants and students to stay home. ***See CDC Fact Sheet: Handwashing
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Employees, and students participating in work-based learning, who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever (100.4° F [37.8° C] or greater using an oral thermometer), signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants). Employees and students participating in work-based learning should notify their supervisor and stay home if they are sick.
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For employees that do not have sick leave or vacation time, unemployment benefits and/or State of CA STD may be available. Check with Executive Staff for more information.
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***See CDC Fact Sheet: CDC Protects and Prepares Communities
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/factsheets.html