Update: Covid-19 Positive isolation guidance

If a staff member receives a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test result, they must complete a period of self-isolation. The isolation period includes the day the symptoms started (or the day their PCR test was taken if they do not have symptoms), and the next 10 full days.

Staff may be able to end their self-isolation period before the end of the 10 full days.

They can take an LFT test from the sixth day of their isolation period, and another LFT test on the following day. The second LFT test should be taken at least 24 hours later. If both LFT tests results are negative, they may end their self-isolation after the second negative LFT test result. They should not take an LFT test before the sixth day of their isolation period and should only end their self-isolation following 2 consecutive negative LFT tests which should be taken at least 24 hours apart.

Staff must have been risk assessed by their line manager prior to returning. Please do not return to work before day 10 unless you have spoken with your line manager and the manager completed the appropriate form which can be found on the Covid-19 Homepage on Need to Know.

Staff may then return to work if they meet the following criteria:

• the staff member should not have any COVID-19 symptoms
• the staff member should continue to undertake daily LFT tests for the remaining days of isolation period. For example, if the first LFT test was taken on the sixth day, and the second LFT test was taken on the seventh day, they should continue to take LFT tests on day 8, 9 and 10. If the first LFT test was taken on the seventh day and the second LFT test was taken on the eighth day, they should continue to take LFT tests on day 9 and 10
• if any of these LFT test results are positive the staff member should isolate and should wait 24 hours before taking the next LFT test
• if the LFT test is positive on the 10th day, daily LFT testing should continue, and the staff member should not return to work until a single negative LFT test result is received
• on days the staff member is working, the LFT test should be taken prior to beginning their shift, as close as possible to the start time
• the staff member must continue to comply with all relevant infection control precautions and PPE must be worn properly throughout the day
• if the staff member works with patients or residents who are especially vulnerable to COVID-19, a risk assessment should be undertaken, and consideration given to redeployment for the remainder of the 10 day isolation period. This means that whilst emergency responses to patients are essential and the vulnerable status is unknown, we will not utilise staff returned early to conduct interfacility transfers or scheduled journeys with known vulnerable patients.

This is not in relation to contacts of COVID cases and the isolation period for those remains at 10 days.

Reference

COVID-19: management of staff and exposed patients or residents in health and social care settings - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Published 24th December 2021