Updated CDC Criteria for Return to Work for Healthcare Personnel with Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19 (Interim Guidance)

As of 4/23/2020, the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) uses a non-test-based strategy to determine resolution of COVID-19 clinical disease and likely infectivity. This guidance represents KDPH’s best expert judgment on this date and will continue to evolve as understanding of COVID-19 improves. KDPH is aware this guidance differs from CDC guidance. In the Commonwealth of Kentucky, KDPH guidance is the recommended community standard.  

Guidance for Healthcare Workers Returning to Work 4_23_ 2020 FINAL

As of April 13, the CDC Guidance:

• Indicates a preference for use of the Test-based strategy to determine when HCP may return to work in healthcare settings
• Adds return to work criteria for HCP with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who have not had any symptoms
• Aligns with recommendations for universal source control for everyone in a healthcare facility during the pandemic.

Who this is for:

Occupational health programs and public health officials making decisions about return to work for healthcare personnel (HCP) with confirmed COVID-19, or who have suspected COVID-19 (e.g., developed symptoms of a respiratory infection [e.g., cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, fever] but did not get tested for COVID-19).

Decisions about return to work for HCP with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 should be made in the context of local circumstances. Options include a test-based strategy or a non-test-based strategy (i.e., time-since-illness-onset and time-since-recovery strategy).