Right now for our wellness checks, we allow people to return sooner than 10 days with a negative COVID test and a doctor’s note clearing them to work, as long as they are symptom free. That’s regardless of vaccination status, and it’s aimed at people who see a doctor and get diagnosed with some other illness, like flu or strep.
For vaccinated people, it’s not out of the question to replace that doctor’s note with proof of vaccination and say vaccinated people with a negative test and symptom-free can return. A major concern around implementing this right now is that the rate of breakthrough cases is unknown, but there are some alarming trends. Nearly 20% of LA County’s cases in June were breakthrough cases in fully vaccinated people. Our concern around letting someone back without seeing a doctor is that everyone thinks it won’t happen to them – but it does. Our team isn’t changing our process at this time, and would still require a doctor’s note along with that negative test and confirmation that the person is symptom-free.
Any fully vaccinated people actively having symptoms should stay home from work, regardless of whether they have a negative test.
An inconclusive test means that something went wrong with the test itself and the result can’t be determined. It’s effectively the same as if someone was not tested at all. You should treat it as such, and we recommend getting re-tested for a conclusive result - and of course staying home and isolating if you have symptoms.
Yes. Don’t use an expired test kit if you have one. It’s important to check the date and to replace your test kits if they’re past their expiry date. If you have a test result from an expired kit, you should get re-tested - but if it’s a positive test result, you should assume it’s a true positive and take the necessary precautions until you get another test. It’s always best to be safe rather than sorry.
Yes! All tests, both rapid and PCR, have extremely accurate results for true positives - most are 99% accurate or more when they show a positive result. It’s the negative test results that are less reliable - since rapid tests produce some false negative results, especially in those who are asymptomatic.
Yes, absolutely. The newest CDC studies (which prompted their updated guidance) show that while those who are fully vaccinated get sick less often and have milder symptoms, they’re actually still transmitting the virus, potentially at the same levels as those who are unvaccinated. So it’s extremely important that breakthrough cases in fully vaccinated people are treated the same way as regular COVID+ cases - with full contact tracing, self-isolation, and if necessary, and heightened cleaning and ventilation.
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Right now for our wellness checks, we allow people to return sooner than 10 days with a negative COVID test and a doctor’s note clearing them to work, as long as they are symptom free. That’s regardless of vaccination status, and it’s aimed at people who see a doctor and get diagnosed with some other illness, like flu or strep.
For vaccinated people, it’s not out of the question to replace that doctor’s note with proof of vaccination and say vaccinated people with a negative test and symptom-free can return. A major concern around implementing this right now is that the rate of breakthrough cases is higher than we’d known before. Nearly 20% of LA County’s cases in June were breakthrough cases in fully vaccinated people. And there is a Cape Cod cluster where a shocking 73% report being vaccinated. Our concern around letting someone back without seeing a doctor is that everyone thinks it won’t happen to them – but it does. Our team isn’t changing our process at this time, and would still require a doctor’s note along with that negative test and confirmation that the person is symptom-free.
Anyone who is fully vaccinated and actively having symptoms should stay home from work, regardless of whether they have a negative test.
An inconclusive test means that something went wrong with the test itself and the result can’t be determined. It’s effectively the same as if someone was not tested at all. You should treat it as such, and we recommend getting re-tested for a conclusive result - and of course staying home and isolating if you have symptoms.
Do test kits expire?
Yes. Don’t use an expired test kit if you have one. It’s important to check the date and to replace your test kits if they’re past their expiry date. If you have a test result from an expired kit, you should get re-tested - but if it’s a positive test result, you should assume it’s a true positive and take the necessary precautions until you get another test. It’s always best to be safe rather than sorry.
Do we count a positive on a rapid test as a legitimate positive?
Yes! All tests, both rapid and PCR, have extremely accurate results for true positives - most are 99% accurate or more when they show a positive result. It’s the negative test results that are less reliable - since rapid tests produce some false negative results, especially in those who are asymptomatic.
Should breakthrough cases be handled the same way as a new COVID+ case?
Yes, absolutely. The newest CDC studies (which prompted their updated guidance) show that while those who are fully vaccinated get sick less often and have milder symptoms, they’re actually still transmitting the virus, potentially at the same levels as those who are unvaccinated. So it’s extremely important that breakthrough cases in fully vaccinated people are treated the same way as regular COVID+ cases - with full contact tracing, self-isolation, and if necessary, and heightened cleaning and ventilation.
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