Current COVID Testing Procedures Edited 12/23/2021

If a staff member or client is experiencing COVID related symptoms:

• Any staff member experiencing COVID related symptoms will be off until:

  • Staff has provided negative COVID test results OR a clearance from a medical provider AND;

  • No fever within 24 hours without fever reducing medications and improvement of symptoms.

• Any client that is experiencing COVID related symptoms:

  • Seek guidance from a medical provider

  • If tested, site will go into Hot House Procedure

If a staff member or client tests positive:

Staff Follow-Up:

• Staff must complete isolation period per DOH guidelines before return to work.

  • Report testing and results

Kokua Site Follow-Up:

• If they had not been onsite during their contagion period:

  • Report testing and results

• If they had been onsite during their contagion period:

  • Activate Hot House Protocol at affected locations

  • All staff who worked at that site from first exposure, during contagion period, will need to be tested immediately and at 5-7 days from last exposure. If all testing is negative, no further testing needed, and isolation period ends after 7 days (for vaccinated clients/staff.) Unvaccinated clients will need to complete a 14-day isolation period, continuing to test every 3-7 days.

  • If any testing returns positive results, continue testing every 3-7 days until 14 days have passed with no new positive cases.

  • Report testing and results

If a staff member or client has exposure to positive person:

• If they live with the individual:

  • Staff will remain off during the positive person’s isolation period.

  • After isolation period has ended, staff may return while receiving testing at 2-3 days and 5-7 days post isolation period.

  • Exposed staff will not be able to work if they begin exhibiting symptoms or receive a positive COVID test.

• If they do not live with the individual

  • Staff may work if they are asymptomatic.

  • Staff will receive testing at 2-3 days and 5-7 days post exposure.

  • Exposed staff will immediately be pulled if they being to exhibit symptoms or receive a positive COVID test.

Travel Guidelines:

• Recommendations for all travel:

  • Avoid crowds and social distance to the best of your ability

  • Wear a mask while in public and on public transportation

  • Wash hands often or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol)

  • Self-Monitor for symptoms during and after travel.

• Guidelines for Domestic Travel:

  • After travel, self-monitor for symptoms and report any symptoms to on-call right away.

• Guidelines for International Travel:

  • Get tested 3-5 days after your return.

  • Quarantine for 7 full days after return; if unable to get tested, a full 14-day quarantine will be required.

  • Self-monitor for symptoms and report any symptoms to on-call right away.

Current Definitions:

Contagion Period (Per DOH):

Two days prior to the onset of symptoms or positive COVID-19 test, if asymptomatic

Exposure (Per DOH):

Being in an affected area or in close contact with a positive individual for 15 or more cumulated minutes in a 24 hour period.

Hot House Procedure (Per Kokua):

• Staff will wear face shields, N95 masks, and gowns at all times while in the home. Gloves are to be worn during all personal care as per standard procedure.

• Social visits and events will be rescheduled.

• Non-emergent medical visits will be rescheduled. If unsure about rescheduling needs, contact the respective provider’s office, explain the situation (while maintaining confidentiality) and follow their recommendations for the appointment.

Isolation Period (Per DOH):

• For confirmed COVID-19 with symptoms

It’s been at least 24 hours with no fever without using fever-reducing medication AND symptoms have improved AND At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared.

• For confirmed COVID-19 without symptoms

At least 10 days have passed since the date of first positive COVID-19 test AND no subsequent illness.

Symptoms (Per DOH):

Symptoms ​may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Cough

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Fever

• Chills

• Muscle pain

• Sore throat

• New loss of taste or smell

• Other less common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

Testing/Test Results:

• Kokua is only able to accept testing done at a testing facility and cannot accept “at home” test results.

  • Kokua is able to do some testing at the office. However, it is only available for asymptomatic staff and testing supplies are limited.

• Kokua must receive a copy of results; will be accepted via email, text or physical paper results (please do not bring results to the office if you are symptomatic or COVID positive)

Warm Zone (Per Kokua):

Currently, this only applies to the Kokua Office.

• N95s should be worn at all times while in the building.

• Non-essential visits should be postponed.

Julie Clark Compassionate Caregiving Training