Suffolk Reporter

Town Of East Hampton issued the following announcement on April 6.

Suffolk County Department of Health Guidance for employers if one of their employees tests positive-April 3, 2020

Suffolk County Health Department will investigate positive cases, we understand that employers may want to reach out to their employees before our investigation is complete. 

If an employee reports a positive test to their employer, you should consider the following: 

Was this person on-site when symptomatic or 48 hours before symptoms started? 

If the answer is yes, the individual with a positive test result should identify who they were in close contact with while symptomatic. 

New York State defines a close contact as being within 6 ft. of a person displaying symptoms of COVID-2019 or someone who has tested positive of COVID-2019. The contact should be ten minutes or more. 

The employer should notify the individuals who were identified by the employee who tested positive.

Visit www.suffolkcountyny.gov/suffolkcovid for more information.  

The employer should also disinfect the work space:

Centers for Disease Control Guidance on disinfecting:

Hard (Non-porous) Surfaces

• If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
• For disinfection, most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective. 

• • A list of products that are EPA-approved for use against the virus that causes COVID-19 is available on the EPA WEBSITE.  Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products for concentration, application method and contact time, etc.
  • Additionally, diluted household bleach solutions (at least 1000ppm sodium hypochlorite) can be used if appropriate for the surface. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application, ensuring a contact time of at least 1 minute, and allowing proper ventilation during and after application. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted. 

  • • Prepare a bleach solution by mixing: 

    • • 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) bleach per gallon of water or
      • 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water

Soft (Porous) Surfaces

• For soft (porous) surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes, remove visible contamination if present and clean with appropriate cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces. After cleaning: 

• • If the items can be laundered, launder items in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and then dry items completely. 
    • Otherwise, use products that are EPA-approved for use against the virus that causes COVID-19pdf iconexternal icon and that are suitable for porous surfaces
    • Original source can be found here.