COVID-19 updates
MSS Isolation and Quarantine Procedures – COVID-19
MSS will continue to follow guidance issued by the Minnesota Department of Health regarding staff and persons served who test positive or are exposed to someone who has tested positive to COVID-19.
If you test positive for COVID-19
Staff and persons served who test positive for COVID-19 must stay home for at least 5 days following symptoms development or positive test. The day your symptoms develop (or your test date) is day 0. Day one is the first full day after your test date or symptoms develop.
Staff and persons served who can wear a well-fitting mask and have symptoms must stay home until all of the three following are true:
· It has been five days since you first felt sick.
· You have had no fever for at least 24 hours without using fever reducing medication.
· You feel better. Your cough or other symptoms are better.
Staff and persons served who can wear a well-fitting mask and do not have symptoms must stay home for five days after their positive test date. Day zero is the day you got tested.
· If you develop symptoms during this time, you must start over. Day zero is the day your symptoms start. Day one is the first full day after your symptoms began.
You may return to MSS on day six. For days six through ten you must wear your mask at all times while attending services. If you do not feel better or still have symptoms after day five, you must continue to stay home until all of the above are true.
Persons served who are unable to wear a well-fitting mask must stay home for at least ten full days. The ten days start the day after you developed symptoms. If you do not have symptoms, the ten days starts the day after you got tested.
In all cases, staff and persons served with weakened immune systems or who are severely ill must consult with their healthcare provider regarding returning to MSS.
If you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
Staff and persons served will be asked to quarantine based on the guidance provided by the Minnesota Department of Health.
Who does not need to quarantine:
· Staff and persons served who have completed ALL recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccine when eligible, including a booster or additional dose.
· Staff and persons served who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past three months.
Staff and persons served who are not required to quarantine should follow testing recommendations outlined by the Minnesota Department of Health and monitor for symptoms.
Who needs to quarantine:
· Staff and persons served who are not vaccinated.
· Staff and persons served who are not up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters.
Staff and persons served are required to stay home for at least five full days following the date of close contact. Your last day of close contact is day zero, day one starts the following day.
Staff and persons served who can wear a well-fitting mask and who do not have symptoms must stay home for five full days and test on day five if possible. You may return to MSS on day six. For days six through ten you must wear your mask at all times while at MSS. If symptoms develop anytime during this period, the person must stay home and receive a negative COVID-19 test result before returning to MSS.
Persons served who are unable to wear a well-fitting mask must stay home for at least ten full days. The ten days start the day after you were in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. The Minnesota Department of Health recommends all close contacts be tested on day five following exposure. If symptoms develop during this ten-day quarantine, the person served must receive a negative COVID-19 test result before returning to MSS.
General Information:
In either scenario, when staff and persons served return to MSS on days 6-10, they will be provided the opportunity to eat their lunch in a socially distanced manner, and in a separate space if possible. Persons served who require assistance with eating will be socially distanced from others and have one staff person who assists them. Staff will be provided with PPE including a well-fitting mask, face shield, or other PPE as needed. Meal time may be accommodated differently based on the needs of the individual.
A “well-fitting mask” for purposes of return to MSS following isolation or quarantine is defined as:
· Double masking including a surgical mask with a nose clip covered by a cloth mask
· N95 mask
· KN95 mask
Staff and persons served must wear a mask covering their nose and mouth at all times unless eating in a socially distanced space. Upon request, MSS will provide a mask that meets these guidelines for persons served or staff returning on days 6-10.