Please note – this document will be updated periodically as new information and guidance emerges.

Updated April 9, 2020

GENERAL INFORMATION

•  What is Coronavirus?

Information on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) can be found at the website for the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

• What can be done to prevent the spread of the virus?

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Stay at home when sick.

Cover cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in trash

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces with disinfectants. Resource: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-releases-list-disinfectants-use- against-covid-19

Frequently wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. For additional information, see the CDC’s website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html

• What can an employee do who is feeling anxious about the Coronavirus in general?

CONCERN EAP is available for tele-counseling by calling 901-458-4000. Teletherapy is also available for employees on Blue Cross Blue Shield by calling 1-888-283-6691.

• What is “close contact” with a person with COVID-19?

Close contact is defined by the CDC as being within approximately 6 feet (2 meters) or closer to a person with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 for a prolonged period (more than a cumulative total of 15 minutes over a 24-hour period) starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated. Close contact can occur while caring for, living with, visiting, or sharing a healthcare waiting area or room with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 or direct contact with the secretions of a person diagnosed with COVID-19 (e.g., being coughed on).

• What should an employee do if they have had close contact with/been exposed to a person with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 and the employee has symptoms?

  The employee should immediately go home to self-isolate and report the exposure to City of Memphis HR by calling benefits at 901-636-6800. Employees will be required to remain out of the workplace for 14 days from the estimated last day of exposure regardless of displayed symptoms. The employee must remain out of the workplace until they receive clearance from a healthcare provider or has negative COVID-19 test result to return to

• How do I know if I have high or medium exposure risk?

Exposure Risk Assessment is based on the CDC’s guidelines: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/risk-assessment.html. An example of high exposure risk would be living or caring for with a person diagnosed with COVID-19.

• What should I do if I think I have been exposed to the virus?

If the employee believes that he/she could have been exposed to COVID-19 and/or begins to develop symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc.) that employee must immediately contact his/her healthcare provider to get guidance on next steps. The employee is required to notify City of Memphis HR as a public health precaution by calling benefits 1- 901-636-6800. The employee must remain out of the workplace until they receive clearance from a healthcare provider or has negative COVID-19 test result to return to work.

• What if I begin to develop symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath) during quarantine?

You must immediately contact your healthcare provider to get guidance on next steps. You are required to notify City of Memphis HR by calling benefits at 1-901-636-6800, as a public health precaution. The employee must remain out of the workplace until his/her symptoms have resolved for at least 72 hours and he/she has negative COVID-19 test result or medical clearance to return to work.

• I have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Am I required to report a COVID-19 Diagnosis?

As a public health precaution, all City employees are required to report a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, or exposure to a person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19. This includes any employee who: is positively diagnosed with COVID-19; has been in close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-; is living in the same household as a person diagnosed with COVID-19; is an intimate partner of a person diagnosed with COVID-19; or is caring for a person diagnosed with COVID-19. Employees falling into any of these categories must notify City of Memphis HR of the diagnosis or exposure by calling benefits at 1-901-636-6800. Employees will be required to remain out of the workplace for 14 days from the estimated last day of exposure regardless of displayed symptoms. The employee must remain out of the workplace until they receive clearance from a healthcare provider or has negative COVID-19 test result to return to work.

• Can I take leave if I have high or medium risk and need to quarantine, have COVID-19 symptoms, been diagnosed with COVID-19 or need to take care of someone with COVID-19 symptoms?

Yes. For more information, please click on the COM Coronavirus FAQs button on the right side of this screen.