An increasing number of public safety personnel – police officers, firefighters, EMTs and paramedics – have been ordered into 14-day quarantine at home or in quarters after exposure to a COVID-19 positive patient.
By mid-March, 27 Kirkland Wash. firefighters and two police officers; four King County (Wash.) EMS paramedics, including two interns; 77 San Jose firefighters; six Reedy Creek (Florida) firefighters; and five FDNY EMS providers had been ordered into quarantine. Many more have been quarantined since. There is a high likelihood additional personnel will be reported as in quarantine, quarantine completed, or released from quarantine in the days ahead.
COVID-19 implications, including quarantine of exposed personnel, have the potential to significantly impact mission readiness of public safety agencies.
Return to work after COVID-19 exposure
King County (Washington) EMS issued quarantine guidance for “return to work following exposure to confirmed COVID-19 infection.” On March 7, 2020, the CDC issued work restriction guidance for healthcare providers based on the exposure category and source control.
The full King County EMS document, dated March 7, 2020, is embedded below.
- An asymptomatic individual may return to work after 14-days.
- An individual with symptoms, but a negative COVID-19 test, has a different illness and may return to work following resolution of symptoms.
- A symptomatic individual who tests positive for COVID-19 “needs to remain in isolation until the illness resolves and repeat testing confirms negative status.”
In King County, any return to work decision needs to be made in consultation with “clinicians, public health officials and the Health Officer.” Your department’s position titles, and roles and responsibilities may vary. The return-to-work decision will likely involve some combination of a medical director, infection control officer and public health officials.
Maintain mission readiness
It remains important that every public safety provider continue to follow these critical practices to maintain mission readiness:
- Don and doff PPE correctly
- Clean equipment and vehicles
- Frequent soap and water handwashing
- Stay home if sick
- Practice and advocate for social distancing
Public safety providers should take additional precautions by encouraging social distancing – don’t attend mass gatherings and limit trips from home – by their family, roommates, relatives and close friends.
RETURN TO WORK GUIDELINES AFTER A COVID-19 DIAGNOSIS
https://www.emsonline.net/assets/2020-Announcements/COVID-19-Return-to-Work-KCEMS-3-15-2020.pdf
