The government has issued new guidance in relation to managing the health of care staff who have been exposed to COVID-19.
The new guidance states that any healthcare personnel who have come into close contact with someone who has COVID-19, do not have to self-isolate as long as they have been wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – in accordance with the latest guidance on infection prevention and control.
This is even if the person in question has been advised to self-isolate by an NHS track and trace service, if their exposure was limited to the occasion in which they were wearing PPE. If the exposed person has been contacted by a track and trace service in relation to an external incident – then they should still isolate for 14 days.
The advice states that for potential exposure in healthcare settings, a risk assessment should take place if the staff member has not been wearing adequate PPE when in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient. They should then inform their line manager who will conduct and complete the risk assessment. If this concludes that a significant breach has occurred, the individual concerned should remain off work for 14 days.
To read the updated government advice in full, this can be found here.
