Managing positive cases of COVID-19

COVID-19 measures are in place at all Canadian Blood Services facilities across the country, including regular cleaning, wellness checks and a fully vaccinated workplace.   

How we manage positive cases of COVID-19

Canadian Blood Services has an integrated process to manage positive cases of COVID-19 to ensure that those who may be exposed are informed quickly and that additional precautions, if required, can be taken at the exposure site.

When a case arises, an internal case management team is responsible for managing the operational impacts. They will work with the appropriate public health authorities who will determine which employees are required to isolate based on exposure to an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19. Where there are delays in public health being able to review the case, our internal case management team will make interim decisions using established public health criteria.

Although personal details of the individual affected cannot be shared to protect their privacy, we are committed to being as transparent with you as possible. Visit Connect for more information.

When you will be notified if you may have been exposed to COVID-19 onsite

Following public health guidance, our integrated case management task force initiates an investigation when a confirmed report of COVID-19 involving an employee, volunteer, donor, or third party contractor is received; and the date of symptom onset or date of testing is within 48 hours of that individual being in one of our environments. Employees who may have been exposed will be contacted. 

Employees who have had direct contact with a positive employee may be required to isolate if: 

  • Contact was for more than 15 minutes. 
  • directed by public health. 

When testing or symptom onset is beyond this 48-hour period, communications to employees, volunteers, donors and third-party contactors are not conducted, as per public health guidance. Employees will only be contacted by Canadian Blood Services and/or public health should you meet public health criteria for exposure. 

Coming back to work after testing positive or being in close contact with a positive case

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, please notify your supervisor. Then:

  • Follow guidance from OHS/EHS and public health authorities in your jurisdiction for direction about the amount of time you must remain away from work.
  • In general, you can expect public health authorities to recommend that you remain away from work for a minimum of 10–14 days after you have tested positive for COVID-19.
  • The exact duration of your time away from work will vary depending on the COVID-19 symptoms you may experience.
  • When you are eligible to return to work, OHS/EHS (ehs@blood.ca) will help ensure that you do not experience issues passing through wellness checkpoints.

If you have been notified by public health that you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, we ask that you follow public health guidance before returning to work:

  • You will likely be asked to self-isolate for 10–14 days even in the event you receive a negative test result.
  • Contact your supervisor to let them know you have been exposed.
  • When public health determines you are eligible to return to work, OHS/EHS (ehs@blood.ca) will help ensure that you do not experience issues passing through wellness checkpoints.

What you can do

Please remember to monitor your health. If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, fever, difficulty breathing), stay home and contact your manager for guidance.