Dear COBA Members;

Recently several of our Officers have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus since the second wave came upon us. We have received numerous phone calls from our Members asking what the process is if they think they have been exposed and what to do if they are showing symptoms.

This process has remained basically the same since the end of the first wave of COVID.

A.) If you believe you have been exposed on the job to someone (inmate or staff) that has tested positive, you must protect your interests and fill out a Departmental

Exposure Form. Be as detailed as possible about the exposure and to whom you were exposed. Fill out an exposure form even if you are unsure if you had direct contact,

but that you worked in same area or building as someone who tested positive or with someone who was out of work with COVID and has since returned to work.

B.) IF YOU ARE NOT SYMPTOMATIC, you are an Essential Employee and are required to continue working.

C.) IF YOU BECOME SYMPTOMATIC:

1.) Notify your Tour Commander immediately. This is required so that all proper notifications can be made, and a record of your illness claim can be created.‍

2.) The NUMC Testing Area for First Responders has been discontinued since testing has become readily available everywhere. Get tested immediately at your Health Care Provider or at any number of Walk-In Centers across the Island.‍

3.) Self Quarantine while you await the results of your test. WHILE YOU AWAIT THE RESULTS OF YOUR TEST YOU WILL BE CONSIDERED OUT OF WORK ON "ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE" AND WILL NOT BE CHARGED YOUR OWN ENTITLEMENT LEAVE.‍

4.) If you test negative for COVID-19 you must immediately notify the Tour Commander and you are expected to return to work at that time. You will NOT be charged for the time you were out of work awaiting your test, but from the point of the negative test forward, you will no longer be considered on Administrative Leave. If you are still sick with an illness other than COVID, and choose remain out, you will be charged your sick leave entitlements from that point forward.‍

5.) If you test positive, you will follow the protocols set forth by the CDC, continue to remain out of work on Administrative Leave and follow up with your healthcare provider. Under CDC Guidelines, the employee shall isolate at home for 7 days following the date of their COVID-19 test, not the date the employee received their test results, but the actual date of the test. Following the 7th day of isolation, the employee will need to be without symptoms for 72 hours. If the employee is without symptoms during this 72 hours, he/she shall be allowed to return to work. The employee, after returning to work, shall be required to wear a mask for the next 7 days at all times while at work. If you still have symptoms after 7 days you should continue to isolate and notify the Dept of your continued illness. You should document all of this as proof of your illness. COBA is currently exploring the possibility of reinitiating a First Responders Testing site since many area Healthcare sites are very busy with the second wave of the virus. We are also awaiting information on the availability of the vaccine for our Members as part of the rollout of the First Responder vaccination program.

We'll keep you updated with all information as it becomes available.

Brian Sullivan

COBA President