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COVID19 NOTIFICATIONS
from DPS
Updates as of 1/5/2022

What to do if I'm missing work due to exposure or testing positive? 

While The Texas Workforce Commission’s Pandemic Unemployment Assistance ended in June of 2021, we still recommend applying for unemployment assistance at the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)  Unemployment Benefit Services, or by calling the Tele-Center at 800-939-6631 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Central Standard Time, Monday through Friday. We recommend that you do so as soon as you begin to isolate. The sooner you apply, the sooner you’ll receive your benefits.

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If you believe that you are experience symptoms of COVID-19, we recommend visiting the CDC website regarding Testing for COVID-19

 

If you believe that you have been exposed to COVID-19 or may have COVID-19, visit the following website for more information: CDC Guidelines for Isolation and Quarantine. We’ve added a few notes that may help below. 

 

SYMPTOMS

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

 

  • 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

 

COVID POSITIVE AND EXPOSURE

If You Test Positive for COVID-19, you must Isolate; Everyone, regardless of vaccination status.

 

  • Stay home for 5 days.

  • If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house.

  • Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.

If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.

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If You Were Exposed to Someone with COVID-19 (Quarantine) and:

If you have been boosted OR completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months OR completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months

 

  • Wear a mask around others for 10 days.

  • Test on day 5, if possible.

  • If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home.

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If you have completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago and are not boosted OR completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and are not boosted OR are unvaccinated

 

  • Stay home for 5 days. After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.

  • If you can’t quarantine you must wear a mask for 10 days.

  • Test on day 5 if possible.

  • If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home

Important Info

Hand Washing

The CDC and the World Health Organization have recommended that the largest preventative action we can take is to wash your hands regularly. See video below for additional information.

For Healthcare Workers

Healthcare personnel (HCP) are on the front lines of caring for patients with confirmed or possible infection with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and therefore have an increased risk of exposure to this virus. HCPs can minimize their risk of exposure when caring for confirmed or possible COVID-19 patients by following CDC infection prevention and control guidelines, including use of recommended personal protective equipment (PPE).

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How You Can Protect Yourself

Healthcare personnel caring for patients with confirmed or possible COVID-19 should adhere to CDC recommendations for infection prevention and control (IPC):

  • Assess and triage these patients with acute respiratory symptoms and risk factors for COVID-19 to minimize chances of exposure, including placing a facemask on the patient and isolating them in an Airborne Infection Isolation Room (AIIR), if available

  • Use Standard Precautions, Contact Precautions, and Airborne Precautions and eye protection when caring for patients with confirmed or possible COVID-19

  • Perform hand hygiene with alcohol-based hand rub before and after all patient contact, contact with potentially infectious material, and before putting on and upon removal of PPE, including gloves. Use soap and water if hands are visibly soiled

  • Practice how to properly don, use, and doff PPEpdf icon in a manner to prevent self-contamination

  • Perform aerosol-generating procedures, including collection of diagnostic respiratory specimens, in an AIIR, while following appropriate IPC practices, including use of appropriate PPE

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