TEAM SHAW COVID UPDATES

Last Update: Sept. 25, 2023

Shaw is operating in HPCON Alpha. 

 

Latest DOD COVID Guidance: https://www.defense.gov/Spotlights/Coronavirus-DOD-Response/Latest-DOD-Guidance/

Highlights from Force Health Protection Guidance:

  • Symptomatic Individuals.
    • Individuals who are exhibiting symptoms of an infectious respiratory disease, including colds, influenza, and COVID-19, should not come to the workplace or conduct official travel until symptoms have begun to resolve.
      • Symptoms of an infectious respiratory disease may include fever, body aches, cough, runny nose, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea.
      • Commanders and supervisors should permit symptomatic individuals to utilize situational telework when possible.
      • Negative test results are not required for individuals who have recently recovered from a respiratory infection to return to the workplace or to conduct official travel.
  • Mask Wearing.
    • Individuals who have recently recovered from a respiratory infection should consider wearing a mask in the workplace for 10 full days following initial symptoms.
    • Individuals may consider wearing masks based on their personal health risks or concerns (e.g., immunocompromised individuals), or if they wish to reduce their risk of contracting or transmitting a respiratory virus.
    • DoD Components may limit voluntary mask wearing if necessary for safety or military operational reasons.

 

CDC Guidance on Isolation: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html; https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html

  • IAW CDC guidance, a member will isolate if they are positive for COVID-19 for a total of 5 days from the date of symptoms if symptomatic or date of positive test if asymptomatic
  • A member who has tested positive for COVID-19 can test positive again for up to 90 days.
  • When to Get Tested for COVID-19
    • Key times to get tested:
      • If you have symptoms, test immediately.
        • If you are only going to take a single test, a PCR test will provide a more reliable negative test result.
        • If you use an antigen test [At Home Test], a positive result is reliable, but a negative test is not always accurate.
        • If your antigen test [At Home Test] is negative, take another antigen test after 48 hours or take a PCR test as soon as you can.
      • If you do not have symptoms but have been exposed to COVID-19, wait at least 5 full days after your exposure before taking a test.
        • Wear a mask during the 5 full days after last contact of a positive COVID-19 person
    • If you are only going to take a single test, a PCR test will provide a more reliable negative test result.
      • If you use an antigen test [At Home Test], a positive result is reliable, but a negative test is not always accurate.
      • If your antigen test [At Home Test] is negative, take another antigen test [At Home Test] after 48 hours or take a PCR test as soon as you can.
      • If your second antigen test [At Home Test] is also negative, wait another 48 hours and test a third time.

 

DHA Guidance for Health Care Workers:

“Return to Work for Healthcare Personnel2 (HCP) with Symptoms of an Infectious Respiratory Disease, Including Colds, Influenza, and COVID-19. Follow CDC guidance for HCP.3,4 MTFs and DTFs will not transition to use of “contingency” or “crisis” strategies for staffing shortages related to COVID-19 without prior approval from the Assistant Director, Health Care Administration”

Reference 3: Interim Guidance for Managing Healthcare Personnel with SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 | CDC

Reference 4: Stay Home When You Are Sick | CDC

 

Health Care Worker Return to Work Guidance IAW DHA Reference 3 dated 23 Sep 22 (Interim Guidance for Managing Healthcare Personnel with SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 | CDC):

  • HCP with mild to moderate illness who are not  moderately to severely immunocompromised could return to work after the following criteria have been met:
    • At least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared if a negative viral test* is obtained within 48 hours prior to returning to work (or 10 days if testing is not performed or if a positive test at day 5-7), and
    • At least 24 hours have passed since last fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, and
    • Symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) have improved.
      • *Either a NAAT (molecular) or antigen test may be used.  If using an antigen test, HCP should have a negative test obtained on day 5 and again 48 hours later
  • HCP who were asymptomatic throughout their infection and are not moderately to severely immunocompromised could return to work after the following criteria have been met:
    • At least 7 days have passed since the date of their first positive viral test if a negative viral test* is obtained within 48 hours prior to returning to work (or 10 days if testing is not performed or if a positive test at day 5-7).
Shaw AFB COVID Updates