Memorandum
Date: July 9, 2024
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Lloyd C. Guintivano, County Counsel
Rick Ensley, Risk Analyst
Subject: Consideration of Amendments to the County of Lake COVID-19 Public Health Non-Emergency Worksite Protocol
Executive Summary:
Staff submits for your Board's consideration updates to the COVID-19 Public Health Non-Emergency Worksite Protocol to address recent updates in COVID-19 regulations from the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board.
On January 9, 2024, the California Department of Public Health updated its COVID-19 Isolation Guidance, COVID-19 Testing Guidance, and State Public Health Officer Order. These changes impact Cal/OSHA's COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Standards, in particular with respect to isolation of COVID-19 cases and testing of close contacts. Cal/OSHA's regulations took effect on February 3, 2023, and will remain in effect for two years after the effective date, except for the recordkeeping subsections that will remain in effect for three years.
Important changes to definitions:
* "Infectious period" for the purpose of cases the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Standards, is now defined as:
o For COVID-19 cases with symptoms, it is a minimum of 24 hours from the day of symptom onset:
* COVID-19 cases may return if 24 hours have passed with no fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications, and
* Their symptoms are mild and improving.
* For COVID-19 cases with no symptoms, there is no infectious period for the purpose of isolation or exclusion. If symptoms develop, the criteria above will apply.
Note on changes to testing recommendations:
* CDPH no longer recommends testing for all close contacts and instead recommends testing only for:
o All people with new COVID-19 symptoms.
o Close contacts who are at higher risk of severe disease or who have contact with people who are at higher risk of severe disease.
* Regardless of CDPH recommendatio...
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