COVID-19 Preparedness Plan

Introduction: Safety and health are of utmost importance. This plan is dynamic and will be continually updated to reflect emerging information and best practice recommendations from our Medical Director, the Minnesota Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Last Updated October 1, 2020

 1. ILLNESS & EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT

Clients and staff members will be required to answer two health questions related to symptoms and exposure when receiving or providing in-person services or working in one of St. David’s Center’s buildings or partner sites. Staff members will be required to document temperatures upon entering St. David’s Center’s buildings or at home before leaving to provide services in a partner site or client home.

• Illness: Does the person (client or staff) have ONE of the more common symptoms (fever greater than or equal to 100.4, new onset and/or worsening cough, difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell) or at least TWO of the less common symptoms (sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, muscle pain, excessive fatigue, new onset of severe headache, new onset of nasal congestion or runny nose)?
• Exposure: In the last 14 days, has the person (client or staff) been directly exposed to a person (within 6 feet, 15 minutes or more) who has tested positive for COVID-19?

2. EXCLUSION & RETURN POLICY for SYMPTOMS or EXPOSURE

If a client or staff member reports symptoms or an exposure to someone who tested 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 be isolated until plans can be made to return home.

Reporting Protocol: A client or staff with onset of symptoms, exposure to someone who tested positive, or a positive test themselves must immediately inform their staff contact or supervisor, will be excluded from programming, and will complete the COVID-19 Symptom, Exposure and Test Reporting Form.

MN Department of Health (MDH) Reporting: Upon learning of a positive lab-confirmed test result for COVID-19 in any of our programs (staff or client), St. David’s Center will immediately:
1) contact MDH and follow their direction for contact tracing, closure of classrooms or services, and quarantining;
2) inform staff and families impacted by the exposure;
3) develop and implement a deep cleaning and disinfecting plan according to CDC guidelines.

Exclusion and Return Protocol: If a client or staff has symptoms or a direct exposure, they will be excluded from programming and will be allowed to return according to the following parameters:

• Illness: After 10 days from when symptoms appeared or 3 days with no fever and improvement of respiratory symptoms, whichever is longer, or may return sooner with a doctor’s note stating an alternate diagnosis to COVID-19. Note: Exclusion criteria are the same regardless of positive or negative test results unless physician has given a different diagnosis.
• Exposure: 14 days past exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. No exceptions. Note: According to MDH, secondary exposures do not require exclusion.

3. CLIENT GROUP SIZES IN BUILDINGS, HOMES & PARTNER SITES

Group sizes for classrooms, treatments sessions, group services and family units will be strictly defined, with services provided in consistent group cohorts to limit the number of people that clients and staff are exposed to during the COVID-19 outbreak.

4. CONTAINMENT OF CLIENTS & STAFF IN CONSISTENT COHORTS IN BUILDINGS & HOMES

Center-based services will be offered within small group “pods” (i.e. sections of the building) as well as self-contained, consistent cohorts (i.e. separate classrooms) that will not intersect throughout the day. Community spaces such as lobbies and gyms will not be used for programs. In-home services will only be provided when no other visitors are present (other than approved clients and family members).

5. OUTDOOR SPACES

Outdoor play spaces will be used by individual classrooms Monday through Friday on a rotating basis and without classroom groups overlapping. Public use of our outdoor spaces will be completely prohibited; playgrounds will be locked. In-home staff members are encouraged to work with clients outdoors, when possible.

6. CURBSIDE DROP OFF AND PICK UP

All clients will be met curbside by staff members at designated doors near classroom or clinic spaces. Parents, guardians, and the public are not be allowed in the building, unless approved for specific treatment sessions.

7. PARENTS ON-SITE OR IN TREATMENT SESSIONS

Community spaces inside our buildings are not open to parents for drop off, pick up or waiting. Parents may join or observe therapy sessions via telehealth or receive approval to join a specific session by the treating therapist and the program supervisor, but will be required to sign a form stating agreement to follow St. David’s Center’s protocol in advance.

8. 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 can be used as an alternative and is accessible in multiple locations or via portable bottles.

9. FACE COVERINGS

All clients and staff members are required to wear face coverings or masks upon entering St. David’s Center’s buildings, partner sites and client homes.  Clients and staff shall continue to wear masks when in treatment rooms used for multiple clients throughout the day and in communal spaces (e.g. hallways, bathrooms, kitchens, work rooms and shared office suites). 

 The following are exceptions:

• When in cohort space with a consistent group of clients and staff (self-contained classroom or treatment room), masks are still recommended, but not required for staff members and clients.

• Children under the age of five are not required to wear a mask at any time and children under age two should never wear a mask.

• Clients with developmental, medical, or mental health conditions that make it unreasonable for the person to wear a mask shall not be required to do so.
• Face shields will be available and may be used as an alternative for those with health conditions or situations where wearing a mask is problematic.

10. CLEANING & DISINFECTING PROTOCOLS & SUPPLIES

We will follow a strict cleaning and disinfecting protocol throughout our buildings that includes cleaning and disinfecting with specified regular frequency throughout the day in all classrooms, treatment spaces, restrooms, kitchens, and other spaces. Staff providing services in family homes and at partner sites will follow strict disinfecting protocols at each location.

11. SOCIAL DISTANCING

Staff, parents, and all other adults will practice disciplined social distancing (at least six feet apart) throughout St. David’s Center buildings, at partner sites and in client homes. In classrooms, treatment rooms or when providing services in homes, social distancing may not be possible with children or vulnerable adults, given the nature of our services and client populations.

12. VENTILATION

St. David’s Center’s HVAC systems have been updated as of 2016 in Minnetonka and 2018 at the Harman Center, including the most recent fresh air exchange elements.