COVID Information for Employees

EFFECTIVE JANUARY 17, 2023

I. YOU TESTED POSITIVE

To determine when to return to work, check with a medical care provider.

Also see CDC Guidance.

A summary of the August 2022 CDC guidance, adopted by the NJDOH September 2022, is noted below for your convenience.

A. If You Had Symptoms before Testing Positive

• If you became symptomatic before you tested positive, count the first day of symptoms as Day 0. Count 5 days more.  That is your period of isolation.  Return to work can be on Day 6 unless you continue to feel unwell, or if you have had a fever within 24 hrs of Day 6, or if you still test positive using an antigen (rapid) test.   If any of these conditions exist, stay home for another 5 days or until you feel better and have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.
• Wear a well-fitted mask indoors for 10 days from the date you became symptomatic.
• Keep your supervisor informed in accordance with the negotiated Agreement affiliated with your position.
• Notify those with whom you were in close contact in the 48 hours before becoming symptomatic to minimize the potential spread of germs. A close contact is someone with whom you were within 6 feet for a total of 15 or more minutes in a 24-hour period.

B. If You Had No Symptoms but Tested Positive

• If you are asymptomatic but tested positive, count the date of your test as Day 0. Count 5 days more.  That is your period of isolation.  If you do not develop symptoms, test again on Day 5 or 6 using an antigen (rapid) test and return to work on Day 6 if you test negative.   If you became symptomatic after testing and you continue to feel unwell, or if you have had a fever within 24 hrs of Day 6, or if you still test positive using an antigen (rapid) test, stay home for another 5 days or until you feel better and have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.
• Wear a well-fitted mask indoors for 10 days from the date you test positive.
• Keep your supervisor informed in accordance with the negotiated Agreement affiliated with your position.
• Notify those with whom you were in close contact in the 48 hours before becoming symptomatic to minimize the potential spread of germs. A close contact is someone with whom you were within 6 feet for a total of 15 or more minutes in a 24-hour period.

C. About Wearing a Mask

You are advised to wear a well-fitted, high-quality mask for 10 full days any time you are around others inside your home or in public.  Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask.  Avoid travel and avoid being around others who are at high risk.  You may stop wearing a mask in fewer than 10 days if you have two sequential negative antigen (rapid) tests taken 48 hrs apart.  The first of the two tests should be taken no sooner than day 6.

II. YOU ARE A CLOSE CONTACT

See CDC Guidance.

In accordance with the current CDC and NJ Department of Health (NJDOH) guidance, close contacts do not need to quarantine, regardless of vaccination status, but are advised to wear a well-fitted mask indoors for 10 days.

Day 0 is the day you were exposed.  Count 10 days out and wear a mask through Day 10.

III. OUTBREAK NOTIFICATION

Effective Jan 17, 2023, the College will no longer track COVID positive and Close Contact employees unless there is an outbreak.   An outbreak is when 2 or more individuals on campus report testing positive from a common index patient.  When the College is notified of such a circumstance, we are required to report to the local department of health.

If you are aware that an outbreak has occurred, please report this to Pat Sensi, AVP Human Resources & Organizational Safety at psensi@brookdalecc.edu.

IV. TREATMENT INFORMATION:

If you test positive and are an older adult or someone who is at high risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, treatment may be available. Contact a healthcare provider right away after a positive test to determine if you are eligible, even if your symptoms are mild right now. You can also visit a Test to Treat location and, if eligible, receive a prescription from a provider. Don’t delay: Treatment must be started within the first few days to be effective.

V. PROTECTING YOURSELF

We encourage you to continue following CDC guidance for reducing the risk of becoming ill:

• Stay home when you are sick;
• Wash your hands often with soap and water;
• Wear a mask or face covering indoors as recommended;
• Cover coughs and sneezes and properly dispose of tissues;
• Limit close contact with people who are sick; and
• Continue to monitor your health for symptoms of COVID-19 or other illness.

If you have any questions or concerns, please use the contacts listed below.

COLLEGE CONTACTS:

Employees, non-credit students, visitors, contractors contact:  Associate Vice President, Human Resources & Organizational Safety, Ms. Patricia Sensi, psensi@brookdalecc.edu 732-224-2234 or 732-224-2287.

Credit student contact:  Associate Vice President, Student Affairs, Dr. Yesenia Madas, ymadas@brookdalecc.edu.  732-224-2215.