Pub. 2 2020 Issue 6

Health, dental, vision, short-term/long-term disability & life insurances With NHADA, your employees and their families have access to competitive, high-quality group insurance products and services from leading carriers. Please contact Lori Preve at 800-852-3372 or lpreve@nhada.com for more information. NHAD Services, Inc.- Insurance Division PlatinumPartner Lori Preve ENDORSED PARTNER ISOLATION APPLIES TO PEOPLE WHO ARE SICK AND QUARANTINE APPLIES TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN POTENTIALLY EXPOSED. THEY BOTH MEAN TO STAY HOME AND AWAY FROM OTHERS, BUT THE TIME REQUIRED FOR EACH DIFFERS. 2. Now the next question is are they symptomatic or asymptomatic? a. Symptomatic Persons who tested positive They must self-isolate at home until the following symptom-based criteria are met for discontinua- tion of isolation: • At least 10 days have passed since symp- toms first started, AND • At least 24 hours have passed since last fever (off any fever reducing medication), AND • Symptoms have improved b. Asymptomatic Persons who tested positive They must self-isolate at home for 14 days. We now know how the person who tested positive is being handled; now what about everyone else at work? Non-Household Close Contact with someone who has been confirmed to have COVID-19 in the past 14 days. 1. If you have symptoms Isolate and get tested. If negative – self quar- antine for 14 days from last exposure. If positive self-isolate and follow previous guidelines. 2. If you are asymptomatic Self-quarantine for 14 days from last day of exposure and get tested. If negative you are not exempt from the 14-day quarantine; it must be maintained. If positive self-isolate and follow previous guidelines. We now know how to handle the employees; what about the building? 1. Your business needs to be cleaned even more thoroughly after learning an employee has tested positive for COVID-19. The CDC has out- lined this process here: https://bit.ly/35gknBM 2. Most businesses will close or shut down for this cleaning and / or do this after hours; but it needs to be done for the safety of the employ- ees and customers. This can all be very confusing and interpretation is based on understanding. Some questions arise in regards to some of these frequently used terms: 1. What is close contact? The definition of close contact has changed as of last week per the CDC. It is now defined as any- one who has spent a total of 15 minutes over 24 hours and within 6 feet of an infected person will now be considered a close contact and therefore at risk for catching and spreading COVID-19. 2. What is the difference between Isolation and Quarantine? Isolation applies to people who are sick and quarantine applies to people who have been potentially exposed. They both mean to stay home and away from others, but the time required for each differs. 3. What is the difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic? Symptomatic refers to having symptoms; so, the person would have some or all of the symptoms commonly seen with COVID-19: a. Fever or feeling feverish b. Respiratory symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, or shortness of breath c. General body symptoms such as muscle aches, chills and severe fatigue d. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea e. Changes in one's sense of taste or smell COVID-19 continues to be a threat to us all; it's hitting home now with cases on the rise and our members are experienc- ing employees who are testing positive. Everyone needs to interpret the guidelines and suggestions as more than a rec- ommendation; they need to be taken seriously and adhered to. NHADA has prepared for you a COVID Playbook to help you follow these guidelines. https://bit.ly/32vzgyi We wish everyone to be safe and well; but if an employee does test positive, we can help you through this. Please reach out with any questions at 800-852-3372 or email Marta at msilakka@nhada.com. We have many resources to offer and if everyone works together, we can keep each other safe. ■ N E W H A M P S H I R E 9