HCWs with Symptoms or Exposure to an Infectious Disease

The direction below is for SAH HCWs only (specifically SAH employees, physicians, security staff, Ellis Don staff, Marek’s staff, and volunteers) in order to aid in their decision making regarding when to report to work.  Students will follow similar protocols which will be managed by their educational institution.  Students are not followed by Occupational Health. Students can self-screen using Student Self-Screening.

PCR and Rapid Antigen Testing (RATs) for COVID-19 are no longer routinely indicated for return to work. See UPDATED PROTOCOL for additional details.

Direction for HCWs with symptoms of Respiratory Illness (e.g. COVID-19, cold-like illness, influenza-like illness)

Symptoms include one or more of the following: Fever, cough, chills, shortness of breath, olfactory/taste disorder (change in taste or smell), sore throat

OR

Two or more of the following: Runny nose, nasal congestion, headache, gastro symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or abdominal pain), fatigue/lethargy (unexplained/long lasting), body aches, muscle aches, joint pain, conjunctivitis (“pink eye”)

Ensure you have reported your symptoms to Occupational Health at x4317 or healthnurse@sah.on.ca

You can return to work when:

  • Your respiratory symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours; AND
  • You have not had a fever within the past 24 hours; AND
  • Any gastro symptoms have ended at least 48 hours ago; AND
  • You feel well enough to return to work; AND
  • Come to work and practice work self-isolation for 10 days after your symptoms first started.
    1.  

Directions for HCWs who have tested positive for COVID-19 (either a PCR or Rapid Antigen Test) within the last 10 days:

Report your absence to Workforce Planning x1465

Ensure you have reported your positive result to Occupational Health at x4317 or healthnurse@sah.on.ca

If your illness occurs on a weekend/holiday, and you are uncertain when you can return to work, you can follow this direction;

You can return to work when:

  • Your respiratory symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours; AND
  • You have not had a fever within the past 24 hours; AND
  • Any vomiting or diarrhea ended at least 48 hours ago; AND
  • You feel well enough to return to work; AND
  • You practice work self-isolation for 10 days after your symptoms first started.

Directions for asymptomatic HCWs with exposure to COVID-19 within the last 10 days:

  • Come to work if you are asymptomatic; AND
  • Practice work self-isolation for 10 days from the last known exposure
  • Come to work if you are asymptomatic; AND
  • Practice work self-isolation for 10 days from the last shift worked in the outbreak area

Directions for HCWs with another communicable disease (for example, gastrointestinal illness, conjunctivitis, shingles, strep throat):

  • If you do not have any other symptoms, then you can return to work once:
    1. Your vomiting has resolved at least 24 hours ago; AND
    2. Your diarrhea has resolved at least 48 hours ago.
  • If you do not have any other symptoms, you can return to work when your symptoms have resolved
  • You can return to work immediately as long as:
    1. You have NOT been diagnosed with disseminated zoster, AND
    2. You practice good hand hygiene; AND
    3. Your lesions are covered or in an area that will not be in contact with a patient (e.g. your face); UNLESS
      1. You work in one of the following areas:
        • Maternity, Pediatrics, NICU, Renal, or ADCP
      2. In which case, you can return to work when:
        • All of your lesions have dried and crusted over

Ensure you have reported your symptoms to Occupational Health at x4317 or healthnurse@sah.on.ca 

You can return to work when:

  • Your symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours; AND
  • You have not had a fever within the past 24 hours; AND
  • It has been at least 24 hours since you started antibiotics; AND
  • You feel well enough to return to work; AND
  • Come to work and practice work self-isolation for 10 days after your symptoms first started.

Ensure you have reported your symptoms to Occupational Health at x4317 or healthnurse@sah.on.ca

You can return to work on day 6 after your symptoms first started as long as:

  • Your respiratory symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours; AND
  • You have not had a fever within the past 24 hours; AND
  • Any gastro symptoms have ended at least 48 hours ago; AND
  • You feel well enough to return to work; AND
  • Come to work and practice work self-isolation for 10 days after your symptoms first started.
  • Do not attend work; AND
  • Report your diagnosis to Occupational Health at x4317 or healthnurse@sah.on.ca; AND
  • Await direction from Occupational Health regarding return to work. Continue to report your absence to Workforce Planning until you receive further direction from Occupational Health.

Ensure you have reported your symptoms to Occupational Health at x4317 or healthnurse@sah.on.ca

You can return to work when:

  • Your symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours; AND
  • You have not had a fever within the past 24 hours; AND
  • Any blisters have healed (e.g. are no longer filled with fluid); AND
  • You feel well enough to return to work; AND
  • Come to work and practice work self-isolation for 10 days after your symptoms first started.