CDC: Asymptomatic Workers Exposed To COVID-19 Can Return To Work

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new guidance that says some asymptomatic workers who had been exposed to COVID-19 can return to work.
• The new guidance is made so critical workers can go back to the workforce to prevent a shortage.
• If the curve is flattened by the end of April, Dr. Anthony Fauci said the government can ease some restrictions in the weeks to come.

The CDC announced new guidance on the novel coronavirus on Wednesday at the White House briefing for COVID-19. The guidance states that some essential workers exposed to the disease but are asymptomatic can go back to work.

The take away is that workers would need to take their temperatures twice a day, and they would need to wear a mask not just at work, but when they’re out in public as well. This is to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Dr. Robert Redfield, the Director of the CDC, said the guidance is to “really begin to get these critical workers back into the workforce so that we won’t have worker shortage in these critical industries.”

The workers mentioned are those in healthcare, the first responders, and in the food supply, among others.

In addition, employers are encouraged to have their workers’ temperatures taken at the start of the workday. If they show signs or symptoms of the virus, they should be sent home. Buildings should also be persistently clean especially in the commons areas and increase the air exchange.

Furthermore, Redfield said that employees should still prevent themselves from congregating in commons areas such as lunchrooms, or break rooms.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director, Dr. Anthony Fauci, told “America’s Newsroom” of Fox News that if the social distancing measures are successful in flattening the curve, the government could ease some of the restrictions in the coming weeks after the end of April.

However, Dr. Fauci warns that even though “we’re starting to see some glimmers of hope,” the United States needs to “keep pushing on the mitigation strategies.”

He reiterated that social distancing practice needs to continue because “there is no doubt that that’s having a positive impact on the dynamics of the outbreak.”

Source: Fox News