Info for Positive Covid-19 Cases in the Workplace
The Virus
The virus can be spread by an individual 48 – 72 hours before their symptoms appear. It is therefore important to ensure open communication with other crew, cast and contributors who may have worked in close contact. However, it is also important to ensure that the individual’s privacy is maintained as medical information is deemed sensitive personal data.
Symptoms
If you have recent onset of any of the most important symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19):
- a new continuous cough
- a high temperature
- a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of smell or taste (anosmia)
you and your household must isolate at home: wearing a face covering does not change this. You should arrange to have a test to see if you have COVID-19.
Confirmed Positive Case
If a case is confirmed, those crew, cast and contributors who have been in close contact and/or in the same cohort, should be identified to the best of your abilities. Those individuals should be advised to seek medical advice and be asked to work from home for 10 days to monitor their symptoms, as a precautionary measure in conjunction with local health agency instructions.
What is a ‘contact’?
A ‘contact’ is a person who has been close to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 anytime from 2 days before the person was symptomatic up to 10 days from onset of symptoms (this is when they are infectious to others).This includes anyone you have been within 2 meters of for 15 minutes or more. The same rule applies if you have been in a car or vehicle with someone.
Keep a Record
The recording of key dates, location of meetings, recces and movements of the crew, cast or contributor will help inform local health agencies and help the production to identify other staff/crew or cast members who may have been in close contact.
Positive Result
A positive result means the individual had COVID-19 when the test was done. If their test is positive, they must self-isolate immediately.
- If they had a test because they had symptoms, they should keep self-isolating for at least 10 days from when their symptoms started.
- If they had a test but have not had symptoms, they should self-isolate for 10 days from when they had the test.
- Anyone they live with, and anyone in their close contact bubble, must self-isolate for 10 days from when you start self-isolating.
Inconclusive Test
An unclear, void, borderline or inconclusive result means it’s not possible to say if the individual had COVID-19 when the test was done. Another test should be arranged as soon as possible. If the individual had a test but did not have not any symptoms, they do not need to self-isolate while they are waiting to get another test. People they live with, and anyone in their close contact bubble, do not need to self-isolate.
Self Isolating ASAP
They should self-isolate as soon as possible, if they are at work they should return home directly, and order a test online athttps://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test. If they don’t have access to the internet, a test can be ordered by calling 119 (in England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or 0300 303 2713 (in Scotland).
It is important that they do not get too close to other people and maintain a minimum of 2m distance from others in order to reduce the risk of transmitting infection.
Resources;
Isolating Guidance Gov UK
ICO Data Protection in the Workplace
Gov UK List of Covid Testing Providers
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/list-of-private-providers-of-coronavirus-testing
Sian Gwilliam Consultancy 