Scenario 3

Scenario 3: My direct report is a close contact of someone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. What should I do?

Close Contact: For COVID-19, a close contact is defined as any individual who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to positive specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated regardless of face covering. (definition provided by CDC ).

1. Inform the employee they should quarantine and not return to campus until cleared to do so. UT Dallas encourages those exposed to COVID-19 to be tested due to potential exposure to the campus community. It is recommended that testing be conducted a minimum of 2 days after exposure for more accurate results. Testing can be done with a primary health care physician or at a testing location . Blue Cross Blue Shield will cover the cost of a COVID-19 test
2. Have the employee complete the COVID-19 self-report form, if they are able.
3. Contact the COVID-19 Health Screening & Training Program Coordinator (C19 Coordinator) at [email protected] or call 972-883-5327 immediately so appropriate follow up and outreach can take place. The C19 Coordinator will advise on any additional steps you need to take.

   Please be prepared to provide the following information to the C19 Coordinator:

   • Name and contact information for the employee
   • When the employee was last on campus. If the employee was on campus in the past 14 days, locations they visited.
   • Date the employee’s symptoms first began
   • Date the employee was tested, if tested
   • County the employee resides
4. Reinforce social distancing and proper personal hygiene protocols in your unit.
5. Notify COVID-19 Health Screening & Training Program Coordinator at [email protected] prior to the direct report’s return to campus.

   When can the direct report return to campus?

   An individual exhibiting symptoms may return to campus when the following criteria are met:

   • Two negative test results, at least 24 hours apart;

     OR

   • At least 14 days have passed since the last date of exposure