A special mid-month issue of Focal Pointe News & Notes

  Message from John:  

As our weather is starting to change to the Fall season and were spending more time indoors, I wanted to take this opportunity to remind everyone of our COVID-19 guidelines.  It is our hope that the threat from this virus will pass quickly; however, until that time, we need everyone to continue to be mindful of the dangers to you and others, posed by this virus along with the upcoming flu season.  Please continue to wear a mask at all times when social distancing is not practical and continue to practice washing your hands throughout the day.

If you are experiencing the following symptoms, we would like for you to remain home until you are able to be tested.

• Fever or 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
• Diarrhea

The following testing facilities are available for testing free of charge. Phone screening is required before testing:

• SIHF West Belleville Health Center- 7210 West Main, Belleville, IL 62223. Phone # 618.646.2596. Lines open Monday-Friday 8:30 am – 4:00 pm.
• SIHF Healthcare- 100 N 8th St #120, East St Louis, IL 6220. Phone # 618.646.2596. Lines open 8:30 am – 4:00 pm.
• Affinia Healthcare Offers Mobile COVID-19 Testing at Various Community Locations in St. Louis. Appointments are not required. For information on scheduled mobile testing locations, and other COVID-19 testing information, call 314.833.2777.

If you decide that you need to be tested, please follow the guidelines below:

• Employee needs to communicate to supervisor and Director of Talent and Team Development of any symptoms and self-isolate.
• Employee to get tested or seek advice from medical professional on diagnosis.
• You cannot return to work until you have your test results.
• After being tested or seeking medical advice please provide a copy from the doctor or from the testing facility to the Director of Talent and Team Development.

If you have been diagnosed or self-isolating with COVID, the following CDC guidelines apply in order to return to work:

• An employee may discontinue isolation if at least 3 days (72) hours have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and, at least 10 days have passed since the symptoms first appeared.
• If additional time is needed to self-isolate communicate with the Director of Talent and Team Development to determine what are the next steps to follow.

The above-mentioned steps are subject to change in accordance with CDC guidance.  As always if you have any questions please do not hesitate to call your direct supervisor or Sandra.