Revised 12-12-2023

COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is a contagious disease caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2.  COVID-19 most often causes respiratory symptoms that can feel much like a cold, the flu, or pneumonia.  Other parts of your body may also be affected by the disease. Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some people become severely ill.

COVID-19 spreads when an infected person breathes out droplets or very small particles that contain the virus. Other people can breathe in these droplets, or they can land on their eyes, nose, or mouth. Sometimes, these droplets may contaminate surfaces they touch.  Anyone infected with COVID-19 can spread it, even if they do NOT have symptoms.

Screening

PHASE-Industries staff, persons served, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, should monitor for symptoms at home before coming to PHASE-Industries and stay home if they are symptomatic.

Staff should contact their supervisor if they have symptoms that could be consistent with COVID 19. Specifically, people should screen themselves for any of the following:

• Have had a positive viral test in the past 10 days.
• Have any symptoms of COVID-19.
• Have had close contact in the past 10 days (less than 6 feet for longer than 15 minutes) with someone with COVID-19 infection.

The CDC recommends that persons follow the CDC quarantine and isolation guidance if any of the above screening criteria apply:

http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-risk-assesment-hcp.html

The CDC provides more detailed information & guidance for individuals, and their support persons, who are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Masks

Masks are available at PHASE-Industries.  Use of masks are supported by PHASE-Industries, but not universally required.  We continue to encourage team members and program participants to wear a mask based on personal preference, informed by personal level of risk.

Exposure to COVID-19

CDC provides guidance to help people understand their risk, how to protect themselves and others, what actions to take if exposed to COVID-19, and what actions to take if they are sick or test positive for the virus. COVID-19 continues to circulate globally, however, with so many tools available to us for reducing COVID-19 severity, there is significantly less risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death compared to prior years.

CDC guidance says that someone exposed to an individual with COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, does not need to quarantine at home, away from others. They can go to work, attend school and be in other settings around people as long as they wear a well-fitted, high-quality mask and are not experiencing any symptoms.¹

During PHASE-Industries services, anyone who has had a high-risk exposure (e.g., prolonged close contact with someone sick with COVID-19) should generally mask for 10 days following their exposure.  They should also test at least five days after the exposure.

• If it's negative, and no fever and no other symptoms without use of fever-reducing medication, individual can return to work/services, if not contraindicated. People are encouraged to continue masking for the 10-day duration, even with a negative test five or more full days after exposure, and follow the What to Do if You Were Exposed to COVID-19 guidance - CLICK HERE
• If it's positive, you have COVID-19, and need to go into isolation If you are at PHASE-Industries, immediately remove yourself from others until you are able to go home or to a health care professional, and put on a mask. If you are not at PHASE-Industries, isolate yourself away from others, and do not report to work or any in-person supports by PHASE-Industries.

Isolation: Regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate from others when you have COVID-19.  You should also isolate if you are sick and suspect you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results.

• If you test positive or are showing symptoms of COVID-19, isolate immediately and follow CDC’s up-to-date full isolation recommendations CLICK HERE
• If you test positive for COVID-19, treatments are available. For information on COVID-19 treatments,  CLICK HERE

Summary of CDC Isolation Guidance as of 09-15-2022
If you test positive for COVID-19 and have:	Isolation Period & Ending Isolation:
No Symptoms:	Isolate for five days.
Symptoms and they are improving:	Isolate for five days AND fever-free for at least 24-hours without fever-reducing medication.
Symptoms not improving:	Isolate at least five days AND continue to isolate until symptoms start improving AND fever-free for at least 24-hours without fever-reducing medication.
Symptoms plus moderate illness (i.e., difficulty breathing or shortness of breath):	Isolate at least through day 10 AND symptoms improving AND fever-free without fever-reducing medication.
Severe illness (i.e., hospitalization) or weakened immune system:	Isolate at least 10 days and consult a healthcare professional prior to ending isolation.
Note: If you develop symptoms within 10 days of when you were tested, the clock restarts at day 0 on the day of symptom onset

 

Contact Tracing

PHASE-Industries will continue to track confirmed cases of COVID-19.  Employees and program participants are required to report high-risk exposures and suspected and/or confirmed cases of COVID-19 immediately to their Designated Coordinator/Manager (program participants), or the Human Resources Director (employees).   

Mitigation Strategies/Protective Actions

COVID-19 Hospital Admission Levels – PHASE-Industries will continue to regularly review and evaluate data regarding COVID-19. COVID-19 Hospital Admission Levels by County

High Risk Conditions – PHASE-Industries will work with each program participant and their support to team to assess and create individual plans to best support their health and safety. Underlying Medical Conditions Associated with Higher Risk for Severe COVID-19: Information for Healthcare Professionals | CDC

Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests – Minnesota offers free COVID-19 tests (while supplies last).  CLICK HERE to learn more.

Vaccinations – PHASE-Industries encourages all community members to review the most recent and factual information on COVID-19 vaccinations and determine if vaccination is appropriate for you.  COVID-19 vaccinations are highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. CDC recommends that everyone who is eligible stay up-to-date on their COVID vaccines. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT GETTING YOUR COVID-19 VACCINATION

Universal Precautions

Handwashing - Handwashing is the single most important procedure for preventing the spread of common infections. Thus, proper handwashing will be expected as part of the regular routine, even in the absence of recognized disease.

Cleaning and Disinfecting - Regular housekeeping practices will continue to be implemented in our buildings which includes routine cleaning and disinfecting of work surfaces, equipment, tools and machinery, and areas in the work environment, including restrooms, break rooms, lunchrooms, and meeting rooms.

Social Distancing - We continue to ask you to practice social distancing when and where it is appropriate, as well as avoid touching your face, cover your cough and sneezes, wash your hands frequently, stay home and get tested when you are ill.