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Penn State Health updates COVID-19 quarantine policy

With the surge in COVID-19 cases from the contagious omicron variant and per guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help health care organizations address staffing challenges, Penn State Health has adopted new return-to-work strategies for COVID-19 positive, symptomatic and exposed employees.

Per the updated Travel, Quarantine and Isolation policy, Penn State Health will utilize a three-tiered approach (conventional, contingency, crisis) to assist in determining appropriate return to work guidance and  Penn State Health system executive leadership will determine appropriate work restrictions level for the entire system in collaboration with operational leadership in accordance with emergency preparedness plans, patient care needs, staffing levels, and other factors. Exceptions to this status will be made on an as-needed basis by senior leadership per the policy.

Important information for employees

  • Employees must notify employee health, their designee or their manager/supervisor of all COVID-19 positive diagnosis and symptom identification prior to an employee reporting to the workplace. All positive test results should be reported via email utilizing the appropriate Employee Health email based on the employee’s work location.
  • Penn State Health employees who believe they have been exposed to COVID-19 inside or outside of work, even if the employee does not have any symptoms, should notify their manager.
  • The policy no longer prohibits domestic or international travel for personal or business reasons, quarantine from work and testing upon return from international travel no longer applies.
  • Employees are reminded to wear appropriate personal protective equipment while at work and the importance of social distancing when masks are removed to eat or drink.

The leadership team continues to monitor the ongoing COVID-19 situation and remains committed to communicating updates to you in a timely manner.

Employee Health Teams:

  • Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State Health Medical Group, Academic Practice Division and Penn State Health Shared Services:
  • St. Joseph Medical Center, Penn State Health Shared Services and Penn State Health Medical Group locations in the Berks region:
  • Penn State Health Medical Group, Community Practice Division, Holy Spirit Medical Center and Hampden Medical Center
    • Employee Health: 844-774-4772

Positive test result notification HSM_EmployeeCovidResults@pennstatehealth.psu.edu

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