b'FOGHORNFOCUS: SAFETYWhat to Do When Someone Tests Positive for COVID-19?By Karen Rainbolt, FOGHORN Managing EditorI ts every vessel operators worstelse had symptoms. We had peopleshould determine which employees nightmare right now. Just as manyworking from home, very limited offi cemay have been exposed to the virus passenger vessel operations arestaff, an aggressive cleaning routine,and take the following precautions:able to re-open after government-or- and required masks in the building. If an employee is confirmed to dered COVID-19 shutdowns, someoneThat turned out to be not quitehave COVID-19, employers should tests positive for the highly contagiousenough, however. One of theinform fellow employees of their virus. What to do? PVA Vessel memberemployees did not cancel a dinner withpossible exposure to COVID-19 in Dan Yates, President of Americantwo (managers) the same day she gotthe workplace. However as a general Waterways, Inc., Portland, OR, knowstested, which may have allowed therule, federal laws requires the this scenario all too well.virus to spread within the operation.employer not to disclose the identity The Portland Spirit operator, whichYates said, Over the next few days,of an employee who tests positive offers dining and sightseeing cruiseswe had nine more positive COVID-19for COVID-19 to others.in downtown Portland, found himselftests come in. Employees who test positive for grappling with this nightmare scenarioCOVID-19 (using a viral test, not an at the worst possible time.What Should You Do? antibody test) should be excluded Just as we were opening up ourThe Centers of Disease Control andfrom work and remain in home Portland operation in mid-June, onePrevention (CDC) has clear guidelinesisolation if they do not need to be of my office people reported she hadfor business owners to follow in thehospitalized. Employers should a fever, Yates recalled.We sent herevent that COVID-19 reaches yourprovide education to employees on for testing.Another employee alsoworkplace. Once a positive result forwhat to do if they are sick.reported a fever and she was sent forthe novel coronavirus test is received,Employers may need to work with testing, too. Both got their results backthe employer should immediately takelocal health department offi cials to the next day and we sent everyone thataction to prevent further spread withindetermine which employees may was in contact with them inside thethe organization.have had close contact with the company for tests, even though no oneThe CDC says that employersemployee with COVID-19 and who may need to take additional precau-tions, including exclusion from work and remaining at home.Most workplaces should follow the DAMAGE CONTROL KITS by Public Health Recommendations for Community-Related Exposure and instruct potentially exposed employees to stay home for 14 days, telework if possible, and self-moni-tor for symptoms.Critical infrastructure workplac-es should follow the guidance Implementing Safety Practices for Critical Infrastructure Employees Who May Have Had Exposure to a Stock & Custom Kits Available for any Passenger Vessel Person with Suspected or Confi rmed COVID-19. Recommended for Flooding and Emergency Repair Meanwhile, immediate stepsIncludes: Patches and Plugs; Fasteners; & Toolsshould be taken to thoroughly clean and disinfect the affected workspaces w w w . W h e e l H o u s e T e c h . c o m - 9 7 8 - 5 6 2 - 5 2 1 1 where infected employees may have 22AUGUST 2020FOGHORN'