Possible exposure to COVID-19

You may have been exposed to COVID-19. Read on for more detailed information.

⚠️ Pyn note to HR: If possible, a member of HR or the employee’s manager should contact impacted employees by phone or video prior to sending this message. You can use this Pyn as a template for the conversation. Please be sure to fill in the placeholders in brackets.

What we know

We are sorry to share that on [DATE] we learned someone you may have come into contact with [has symptoms of/tested positive for] COVID-19. This means that employees working at [LOCATION] may have been exposed to the virus.

We are doing everything possible to provide you with the most complete information as quickly as we can, while also maintaining the confidentiality of the affected employee as is required by law.

Though we believe you may have been exposed, it is not possible to know for sure if you were or what your exact level of exposure might have been. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes. 

Safety measures we are taking going forward

We are taking measures to ensure your safety, including:

⚠️ Pyn note to HR: Insert any actions you are taking as a result of this notification (e.g., sending the potentially ill employee home, sending people potentially exposed to work from home, disinfecting the workplace, conducting contact tracing, notifying likely close contacts, etc).

What you should do: 

⚠️ Pyn note to HR: Insert information about your relevant sick leave, COVID-19-specific sick leave, self-quarantine or working from home policies. 

Per the CDC’s website: “Most workplaces should follow the Public Health Recommendations for Community-Related Exposure and instruct potentially exposed employees to stay home for 14 days, telework if possible, and self-monitor for symptoms. Critical infrastructure workplaces should follow the guidance on Implementing Safety Practices for Critical Infrastructure Workers Who May Have Had Exposure to a Person with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19. Employers in critical infrastructure also have an obligation to manage potentially exposed workers’ return to work in ways that best protect the health of those workers, their co-workers, and the general public.”

Monitor your health

The most recent information from the CDC indicates that you can still develop COVID-19 up to 10 days after you have been exposed. There are a wide range of symptoms of COVID-19, including fever,  chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

Only you can decide when you should seek medical care. However, if you experience these symptoms in the next two weeks, we encourage you to contact your health provider and let us know if you suspect you have COVID-19 by reaching out to [CONTACT].

For up-to-date information and information on what to do if you believe you are sick, visit the CDC website.

Please reach out to us if you need support or further information.