I’ve tested positive for COVID-19. What do I do next?
The CDC has issued new guidance that allows health care workers who tested positive for COVID-19 to return to work after 7 days in isolation. Because of this new guidance we are immediately changing our policy regarding return to work and enhanced short-term disability for those employees who’ve tested positive for COVID-19 from 10 days to 7.
Employees will now be required to be tested on day 6 so they can return to work on day 7 if they test negative. Please be prepared to take the following steps on day 6:
- If you are fever free and symptoms are stable (improving symptoms) on day 6, you will be required to perform a monitored antigen home test. If your test is negative, you will be expected to return to work immediately.
- Monitoring can take place at a hospital where an antigen home test kit will be provided to you, or if you have an antigen test kit at home you can take it via a video conference with your manager observing the test and results.
- If you have a fever and moderate to severe symptoms on day 6, please contact your PCP or Houston Methodist Virtual Urgent Care and email medical documentation to Employee Health. If you have a fever and moderate to severe symptoms on day 6 and have appropriate medical documentation, you will not lose your enhanced short-term disability.
Your manager will be required to submit your test result to Employee Health via email (including the date and result) as soon as possible, but no later than day 10. Please note that failure to perform the required tasks on day 6 will result in the end of your enhanced short-term disability. If you have not performed your test by day 7, you will lose your enhanced short-term disability benefits and for any additional time off you will need to use your PTO.
We need everyone to report to work as soon as they are healthy and able to help care for our patients. Our community is counting on us to continue offering leading medicine even as we see another uptick in COVID-19 cases.
COVID-19 Booster Shots
The employee booster shots that are currently located in Brazos Pavilion Rooms E & F will be winding down. You may still receive your booster at our vaccine clinic located in the Brazos Pavilion Conference Center.
Resources/FAQ
- Review information about Houston Methodist’s COVID-19 resources including benefit programs and remote work resources.
- Review HR 66, our telecommuting/work from home policy, if working from home.
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