COVID-19 Preparedness Plan

Last Updated May 6, 2022

1) ILLNESS ASSESSMENT

Clients, staff members, and any in-person parents or visitors must assess their symptoms before receiving or providing in-person services or working in one of St. David’s Center’s buildings or partner sites. Anyone with symptoms on the list of most or least common COVID-19 symptoms will not be able to receive or provide in-person services and will be instructed to follow quarantine guidelines.

Symptoms Assessment: Does the client or staff have ONE of the more common symptoms (fever of 100.4 degrees or higher; new cough or a cough that gets worse; difficulty/hard time breathing; new loss of taste or smell) or at least TWO of the less common symptoms (sore throat; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; chills; muscle pain; extreme fatigue/feeling very tired; new severe/very bad headache; new nasal congestion/stuffy or runny nose)?

2) EXCLUSION & RETURN POLICY

If a client or staff reports symptoms or is positive with COVID-19, they will be excluded that day and will follow guidelines for returning. If a client or staff member develops symptoms during programming, they will return home and follow guidelines for returning.

Reporting Protocol: A client or staff with onset of symptoms (per guidelines in point 1 above) or who has tested positive must immediately inform their supervisor (or if a client, your staff contact) and will be excluded from programming. The supervisor will complete the online Positive COVID-19 Case Report Form and will immediately inform St. David’s Center leadership.

Exclusion and Return Protocol: A staff or client with onset of symptoms (per guidelines in point 1 above) or who has tested positive will be excluded from programming and will be allowed to return according to the guidelines below.

• Calculating Return Date – When calculating return date, “Day 0” is the day symptoms start or positive test (whichever is earliest), and “Day 1” is the first full day after Day 0. Example: If positive with COVID-19 and doing a 5-day quarantine, and symptoms began on a Friday, then Friday is Day 0 and quarantine must be THROUGH Day 5 (Wednesday), so return date is Thursday (Day 6).

Exposures – Exclusion and Return if Exposed to a Positive Case

• If a client or staff is exposed to a positive case, they will not be excluded as long as they remain asymptomatic. We strongly recommend testing on or soon after Day 5 after exposure. If symptoms occur or if testing positive, follow guidelines below.
• Household exposures – If a client or staff is exposed to a positive case inside their household, they will not be excluded as long as they remain asymptomatic, but they must obtain a negative test result each day for 5 days after exposure. If symptoms occur or if testing positive, follow guidelines below.

Symptoms – Exclusion and Return if Experiencing Symptoms of COVID-19

Clients or staff with onset of symptoms (per guidelines in point 1 above):

• If positive with COVID-19 in the last 90 days, stay home or return home until symptoms are improving (must be fever free for 24 hours).
• If NOT positive with COVID-19 in the last 90 days, stay home or return home and get tested for COVID-19:
  • If test is negative or alternate diagnosis is received, return once symptoms are improving (must be fever free for 24 hours).
  • If test is positive, follow guidelines for positive case below.
  • If cannot or do not test, quarantine for 5 days from when symptoms started. Then on or after Day 6 return when symptoms are improving (must be fever free for 24 hours).

Positive Cases – Exclusion and Return if Positive with COVID-19

• Clients or staff must quarantine for 5 days. Then, if asymptomatic or symptoms are improving (must be fever free for 24 hours), they can return on Day 6. Staff must wear a mask for an additional 5 days after returning.

Agency Response: Upon learning of a client or staff positive lab-confirmed test result for COVID-19, St. David’s Center will immediately report the case to the Minnesota Department of Health, inform families of their child’s exposure to a positive case, and implement our cleaning and disinfecting plan.

3) CONTAINMENT OF CLIENTS IN CONSISTENT COHORTS IN BUILDINGS & HOMES

Center-based services will be offered within self-contained, consistent cohorts that will intersect on a limited basis indoors throughout the day.

4) HANDWASHING

All clients and staff will wash hands for 20 seconds or more using proper handwashing techniques when entering a St. David’s Center building, home, or partner site and regularly throughout the day. If soap and water are not immediately available, hand sanitizer may serve as an alternative and is accessible in multiple locations and via portable bottles.

5) FACE COVERINGS

Face coverings are optional in all St. David’s Center buildings. We recommend that employees, clients, and families (especially unvaccinated individuals) wear face coverings if they are immunocompromised or otherwise concerned. This guidance is superseded by mandates of local governments or businesses where St. David’s Center is providing services.

6) CLEANING & DISINFECTING PROTOCOLS & SUPPLIES

A strict cleaning and disinfecting protocol will be followed throughout our buildings, in family homes, and at partner sites with specified, regular frequency in all classrooms, treatment spaces, and other spaces as needed.

7) VENTILATION

St. David’s Center’s HVAC systems have been updated as of 2016 (and added bipolar ionization in 2020) in Minnetonka, and 2018 at the Harman Center, including the most recent fresh air exchange elements. Additionally, HVAC systems will be evaluated to be sure we are maximizing the tools available and adding additional components, as recommended.