Previously, AHCA/NCAL reported that the CDC revised its
guidance to indicate that fully vaccinated persons with a known exposure to COVID-19 are no longer required to quarantine. This applies to individuals who are:
- Over two weeks following receipt of the second dose
- Within three months of the second dose
- Asymptomatic since exposure
While this does not apply to long term care residents, this new guidance does apply to health care workers in times of staffing shortage.
In its
strategies to mitigate staffing shortages guidance, the CDC now indicates that for providers operating under contingency or crisis capacity staffing shortages, asymptomatic, fully vaccinated staff who have had a higher-risk exposure but are not known to be infected may continue to work onsite throughout their 14-day post-exposure period. These individuals should:
- Be monitored for symptoms daily, including temperature screening.
- Not report to work or should immediately leave work if they develop even mild symptoms.
- Vaccinated staff should also be prioritized to first shorten their duration of work restriction followed by unvaccinated staff.
If you are experiencing a staffing shortage and implementing contingency or crisis staffing strategies, including allowing asymptomatic fully vaccinated staff with a higher-risk exposure continue to work, AHCA/NCAL recommends that you document the staffing shortages and the strategies you are using internally. This includes any outside entities that you have contacted for staffing support (e.g., agency staff, traveling nurses, etc.).
You may also want to reach out to your state public health agency to share the staffing challenges and your application of this new guidance, and document that outreach and any requests for state resources or supports.