Dealing with a COVID-19 positive employee Back
By: Pia Duxbury
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The West Australian State Government has warned that further outbreaks of COVID-19 within the community are likely and disease experts are predicting a possible "second-wave" of the virus.

With this in mind, employers should be prepared to react to possible positive cases of COVID-19 occurring in reopened workplaces.

A workplace must take these steps when an employee tests positive:

  1. If an employee has a positive COVID-19 test result, they must remain isolated until they recover and the Department of Health clear them to return to work. Conduct an interview to find out if the person has been in contact with other people while they were infectious.
  2. Prior to an employee returning to work HR will need a public health clearance letter.

In WA, the criteria for isolation clearance are different depending on how the person reacted to the disease.

Asymptomatic cases:

  • The person can leave isolation ten days after they tested positive.

People with mild illness who did not go to hospital:

  • The person can leave isolation at least ten days after they developed symptoms and once they do not have symptoms for 72 hours.

Confirmed or likely cases that were hospitalised:

  • A patient who has not tested negative to two swabs for COVID-19 taken two days in a row can go into home isolation after leaving hospital.

The patient can leave home isolation if they meet the following criteria:

  • Ten days have passed since they left hospital.
  • They have had no symptoms for 72 hours
  • Or they tested negative to two swabs for COVID-19 two days in a row.

Even after recovering from COVID-19, people should continue to practice social distancing, and use diligent hand hygiene and cough etiquette.

Reducing stigma in the workplace

Local governments should ensure that employees who test positive to COVID-19 do not face discrimination.

Keep details of staff members confirmed to have COVID-19 confidential.

Encourage staff to discuss concerns about COVID-19 cases in the workplace confidentially.

Let staff know that a fellow employee's country of origin or race does not increase the risk of catching COVID-19.

Reassure staff that it is safe for colleagues who have completed quarantine to return to work as long as they don't have symptoms.

More information

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