Responding to COVID-19 in the Workplace

As most businesses have gone back to operating as usual, California has recommendations to help keep staff and employees safe and healthy. 

Learn more about how to handle COVID-19 cases and outbreaks in the workplace.

As of January 1, 2023, many provisions of AB 685 described below are no longer in effect or have been amended. Employers should consult Labor Code 6409.6 and the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations to ensure that they are in compliance with current requirements regarding employee notification of COVID-19 cases in the workplace. This guidance is no longer in effect and is for historical purposes only.    

COVID-19 Outbreak Reporting

• Non-Healthcare Facility Workplace Outbreaks
• Employers are not required to report workplace outbreaks to Public Health, with AB 685 no longer in effect as of January 1, 2023.
• Employers must now report major outbreaks to Cal/OSHA
   
• Healthcare Facility Workplace Outbreaks – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) requires reporting by congregate facilities of all confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases in both residents and staff to their local health department.
• Please use this Shared Portal for Outbreak Tracking site to report a healthcare or other congregate setting outbreak.
• See Steps to Report Cases below for detailed instructions.
• In accordance with HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules, all information you provide in this form will remain confidential; the information you provide will not impact immigration status.
  

• Steps to Report Cases
  

El Dorado County now uses the Shared Portal for Outbreak Tracking (SPOT) to receive information about COVID-19 cases and outbreaks.

For an overview training of the SPOT reporting process,  view this video.

• Step One:  Complete the application (linked below) to submit a SPOT Intake Form.
• SPOT Intake Form (ENGLISH)
• SPOT Intake Form (SPANISH)

• Step Two:  For all positive cases at the location, liaison will identify any individuals who were in close contact (within 6ft for over 15 minutes total in a day during the  infectious period) with the positive case(s). This information will be for internal contact tracing for the facility to identify close contacts of the COVID-19 positive cases and to isolate or quarantine healthcare residents and staff as applicable.
• Healthcare facilities and Workplaces are responsible for internal contact tracing and do not need to report close contact information to El Dorado County Public Health.

• Step Three:  Once the liaison has submitted a request, they will receive an email with SPOT log-in instructions from calconnect_donotreply@cdph.ca.gov to create an account and password. This is an automated email so it may go to Spam/Junk email folders. Liaison will need to create their account within 7 days by following the instructions in that email. El Dorado County Case Investigation office will review the form and send an additional email with the next steps for SPOT reporting. The El Dorado County Case Investigation office is open Monday – Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. The office is closed on all federal holidays. If an account request is submitted over the weekend or on a county holiday, the request will be reviewed the next workday.

• Step Four:  The El Dorado County Case Investigation office will send instructions in an email to the liaison. These instructions will provide access to a location-specific "Exposure Event" outbreak reporting page. The liaison will use log-in information provided by the CDPH email at the SPOT Home page to log into their account and complete all required information for positive COVID-19 cases associated with the healthcare/congregate facility through SPOT.
   
• Step Five:  Each additional COVID-19 case related to the same exposure should be reported through SPOT as described in steps two through four until at least 14 days have passed without any new COVID-19 positive individuals being identified and the exposure event is closed.
   
• Step Six:  Once positive COVID-19 individuals complete their  isolation period or their contacts complete any applicable quarantine period, then individuals can return to their regular duties at workplaces or healthcare centers.
• Quarantine Update: Quarantine is no longer required for the general public if exposed to COVID-19 and asymptomatic. Exceptions do exist including in healthcare and other highrisk settings. General guidance can be found here.

If documentation is needed for employee records then the following documents can be used for employees to self-attest to meeting recovery/release criteria.

• COVID-19 Exposure Employee Certification to Return to Work 
• COVID-19 Symptomatic Employee Certification to Return to Work 

For HealthCare/Congregate Living Facilities:  Liaison should return to SPOT portal to report on end of isolation update for RESIDENTS with release of isolation date, symptom review and end of symptom information as well as any applicable hospitalization details.

Masking Mandate Employer Resources - Masks are required in Healthcare, Emergency Shelters, Jails/Prisons, homeless shelters, and long-term care. Masks are no longer required but recommended for the general public in other indoor public settings, childcare and k-12 schools.

• Guidance for the Use of Face Masks

Resources for Employers

• CDPH COVID Guidance on Isolation & Quarantine
• Cal OSHA Guidance for Employers
• COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations
• Frequently Asked Questions Related to COVID-19

Resources for Healthcare Facilities/Congregate Settings

• CDC Healthcare Facility Guidance
• Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing Provider Update Notices for Assisted Living/Non-Medical Congregate Settings
• CDPH Reporting Guidance for Healthcare Facilities
  

Contact Us

For questions or concerns about workplace infection prevention, healthcare facility concerns or reporting outbreaks, contact  COVID-19outbreak@edcgov.us