Managing positive cases of COVID-19
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.
- Masks other than surgical were worn, or masks were removed.
- Had lunch or break at the same time and physical distancing could not be maintained in that area.
- If 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, there are guidelines in place to inform when you may return to work:
- If you are symptomatic, you may return after 14 consecutive days of being symptom-free. Note that public health states even if major symptoms have resolved, a loss of taste and smell may continue for a number of days. If your symptoms reappear, you must restart the 14-day period from that date.
- If you are asymptomatic, you may return 14 days after receiving a positive test result.
- Public health may permit an employee to return earlier, however it is with an abundance of caution that Canadian Blood Services upholds the above requirements.
- When you are eligible to return to work, please contact OHS/EHS to ensure that you do not experience issues at the wellness checkpoint (ehs@blood.ca)
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 14 days regardless as to whether or not you have received a negative test.
- Contact your manager/supervisor to let them know you have been exposed.
- When public health determines you are eligible to return to work, please contact OHS/EHS to ensure you do not experience issues at the wellness checkpoint (ehs@blood.ca)
What you can do
To minimize cases at our sites, you are reminded to continue to practice strict physical distancing by keeping a two-metre distance from others wherever possible, wear a mask at all times and practice hand hygiene.
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.