Translation Section Editors
Prof. Wang-Huei Sheng, M.D. PhD
This guideline applies to personnel of medical facilities and care institutions. The care institutions include residential care institutions (residential long-term care facilities, elderly welfare institutions, disabled persons' institutions, and nursing homes), postpartum nursing care centers, children and youth placements and educational institutes, recovery homes, and veterans’ homes.
Healthcare workers (HCW) who had developed a fever (≥38oC), acute respiratory symptoms, abnormal sense of smell or taste, and therefore has been tested for SARS-CoV-2, should be excluded from work until:
At least 1 day (24 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without antipyretics use AND improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g. cough, shortness of breath) AND negative results of molecular biological testing for SARS-CoV-2 RNA from at least two consecutive clinical specimens (nasopharyngeal swab, throat swab, or expectorated sputum) collected ≥24 hours apart.
If HCW meets the reporting requirements for COVID-19, the case should be reported according to Taiwan CDC “Proposed Workflow for Healthcare Facilities on Reporting Cases of COVID-19”.
If HCW meets other requirements for home isolation or home quarantine, he/she should be excluded from work for the longest duration of all scenarios.
If other HCW is diagnosed with other conditions, e.g. positive for influenza test, comprehensive assessment with regard to the diagnosis should be made.
After returning to work, HCW should:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Criteria for Return to Work for healthcare workers with Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19 (Interim Guidance). Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/healthcare-facilities/HCW-return-work.html (Accessed 27 March 2020).
Translators
Li-Tien Hsu, Chung-Yu Wang
Typographers
Yi-Yun Cheng, Yao-Chung Chang