Compiled by:
Carla Villalta – ABL Occupational Wellness Manager
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RAPID ANTIGEN TESTING:
Find out more about the different tests, when to use them, and how to get free tests for your workers at our blog below:
RAPID ANTIGEN TEST: SCREENING TOOL FOR WORKSITES
THE CURRENT REQUIREMENTS FOR TESTING:
Here is a summary of current requirements for testing for everyone, including those who are unvaccinated, vaccinated and previously Covid Positive:
EVERYONE:
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 that require immediate self-isolation and COVID-19 testing include:
• Fever,
•Cough,
•Shortness of breath,
•New olfactory or taste disorder
Non vaccinated with or without symptoms:
All individuals who are not vaccinated will follow same protocols from the start – they must get tested and isolate for 10 days post exposure date.
Fully vaccinated or Previously Positive Individual with symptoms:
If a fully vaccinated individual is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, they must self-isolate and get tested right away. If the test returns positive, they must follow similar self-isolating rules. If it is negative, they can discontinue self-isolation once symptoms have improved for at least 24 hours—or 48 hours if the symptoms are gastrointestinal.
Fully vaccinated Previously Positive Individual with no symptoms:
If a fully vaccinated individual is not experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 after being exposed to the virus, they are not required to self-isolate, although they should still get a test. They may also be required to get a second test. For the next 10 days they will just be required to self-monitor for symptoms.
Definition of a previously positive individual
For the purposes of case/contact/outbreak management, an individual is defined as previously positive if they were a confirmed case of COVID-19 where their initial positive result was ≤ 90 days ago AND they have been cleared from their initial infection.
HIGH RISK CONTACT:
If a high-risk contact develops symptoms from the list below, the Public Health Unit should recommend self-isolation in addition to testing for the following symptoms:
• Sore throat
• Rhinorrhea
• Nasal congestion
• Abdominal pain
• Headache
• Conjunctivitis
HIGH RISK IS DEFINED AS:
- In the last 10 days, have you been identified as a “close contact” of someone who currently has COVID-19
- In the last 10 days, have you received a COVID Alert exposure notification on your cell phone
- Have you been in close physical contact(while not wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment) with someone you don’t live with who either:
- is sick with symptoms associated with COVID-19 (listed below) in the last 10 days or
- returned from outside of Canada in the last 14 days
- In the last 14 days, have you travelled outside of Canada?
Below is the link for the Ministry of Health COVID-19 Fully Vaccinated and Previously Positive Individuals: Case, Contact and Outbreak Management Interim Guidance which includes an Updated Table with additional measures for fully vaccinated/previously positive high-risk contacts