COVID-19 Update: What to do if you get a positive diagnosis
Dear Smithsonian Community,
We hope that you and your families remain well.
As we see different regions beginning to relax some measures and enter into the early phases of reopening the economy, we want to remind you of the steps you should be taking to protect the Smithsonian community if you, or one of your staff, experience symptoms associated with COVID-19.
First and foremost, if you develop symptoms, please stay home and get well. The CDC has developed guidance to help you care for yourself and others in your home. Your healthcare provider can help you navigate testing requirements and procedures in your locality. Information on testing in states where the Smithsonian operates can be found here.
Second, please contact the COVID-19 Response Team at SI-coronavirusinfo@si.edu upon receiving a positive diagnosis or learning that one of your employees has been diagnosed. The Response Team will contact you to follow up and provide advice. Detailed instructions on reporting a positive diagnosis to the Team are provided here. This guidance applies to all Smithsonian employees and affiliated staff working in both owned and leased facilities.
For the health of the community, a medical or public health professional on the Response Team will reach out with a few questions about your symptoms, where you work, and who at work you came into contact with before you started having symptoms. This is known as “contact tracing” and will be completed by the Smithsonian Occupational Health staff using a standardized protocol. Your answers can help prevent the spread of the virus.
The COVID-19 Response Team is committed to safeguarding your privacy. You are not required to disclose your diagnosis or test results to your supervisor, instead the Team will notify your supervisor of any actions they need to take. If you hear of a colleague becoming ill, please respect their privacy and avoid discussing other’s health conditions.
We all have a role to play in preventing the spread of COVID-19. That is why we continue to limit the number of staff on site through enhanced telework and other measures and why we are requiring the use of face coverings for essential on-site employees. You can do your part by social distancing, maintaining a clean work environment, practicing proper hygiene and hand washing techniques, and staying home when you are ill.
Thank you for your shared commitment to the well-being of the Smithsonian community. Visit the COVID-19 website for more information or email the Response Team if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
The COVID-19 Response Team
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Posted: 14 May 2020
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