What should I do if my employee discloses that their family member or roommate has COVID-19?

Answer from Megan, SPHR, JD:

Employees who share a household with someone who is infected should self-quarantine for 14 days after their last exposure per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They should also take their temperature twice a day and watch for symptoms. The CDC does not currently recommend special scrutiny or quarantine for those who have been exposed to an asymptomatic person, even if that person has been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Because COVID-19 is widespread in many communities, the CDC recommends that everyone practice social distancing, be alert for fever, cough, sore throat, muscle pain, chills, new loss of taste or smell, or shortness of breath, and follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.

Remember that the confidentiality of medical information must be maintained per the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Megan graduated from the University of Maryland, magna cum laude, and from Lewis and Clark Law School, cum laude. She has extensive work experience in a variety of industries, which she draws on to help clients with their HR questions.