Emergency Medical Services ECG03

Emergency Medical Services ECG03

COVID-19 Exposures

If I test positive for COVID-19, when can I go back to work?

Testing is recommended for those with symptoms, or in select cases, for those with high-risk exposures. Tests are available through one of the drive-through testing sites by making an appointment online (LACOVID), through your employer, or through your primary care provider.

Where can I get tested for COVID-19?

Testing is recommended for those with symptoms, or in select cases, for those with high-risk exposures. Tests are available through one of the drive-through testing sites by making an appointment online (LACOVID), through your employer, or through your primary care provider.

 What is active monitoring?

Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), active monitoring is where a local health department or your employer communicates with you on a daily basis to assess for fever or symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, myalgias, malaise).

This differs from self-monitoring where all on-duty EMS providers monitor themselves for fever by taking their temperature twice a day and monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. See CDC’s guidance on monitoring and LA County EMS Agency’s Guidance for more information.

What is considered a high-risk exposure and what should I do if I have experienced one?

A high-risk exposure is one where the EMS responder does not have the proper PPE donned and an aerosol generating procedure (AGP) is performed on a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patient. AGPs include CPAP, nebulized treatments, suctioning, bag-mask ventilation, laryngoscopy, advanced airway placement, and chest compressions. If this occurs, the EMS provider should self-isolate at home for 14 days and perform active monitoring as described in the recommendations from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. See COVID-19 Update #5 for more information.