By Ruth Kiefer, MSc, ARM

As my team and I continue to assist you with the most recent COVID-19 rules and regulations, we are still fielding questions regarding outbreaks and what to do if an employee tests positive. Awhile back, MIOSHA dialed back their requirements for protecting your employees from COVID-19 and are now highly recommending that employers follow the updated CDC guidelines due to the Delta variant.

These updates released on July 27th, include requiring your employees and visitors to mask up in areas of High (red) to Substantial (orange) community spread, which according to the CDC map, is most of Michigan (https://covid.cdc.gov/coviddata- tracker/#county-view), with some central and upper Michigan areas still in the yellow (Moderate). The masking request is for both vaccinated and unvaccinated employees and has been made because the Delta variant and the masking up is a general request if you are located in an affected area that has High to Substantial spread.

The CDC also recommended a testing strategy for vaccinated employees that have been exposed to a COVID-19 positive person or have had close contact with a person who has tested positive. The definition of close contact has not changed, it is still 15 minutes with someone less than 6 feet. The requirement now for vaccinated and unvaccinated persons who have had COVID-19 in the last three months, is to test for COVID-19 within 3-5 days after their exposure, even if they do not have symptoms, and wear a mask for 14 days following exposure, unless they received a negative test, then they may return to work without a mask. Now if you are still in an area where their is High or Substantial spread, then a mask will still be required for everyone. As employers you may still require a negative test prior to an employee returning to work.

Just as a reminder, symptoms of COVID-19 include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and/or diarrhea. State law still prohibits employees that have tested positive or display the principal symptoms of COVID-19 from returning to work or showing up to work until they have completed their isolation requirements or have a negative test and their symptoms have improved. So, there you have it, the new CDC guidance for people in High or Substantial community spread of COVID-19. If you have further questions, please reach out to your Loss Control Representative, and we can assist you in this rapidly changing environment.