COVID is Still With Us

If you test positive or have symptoms of COVID while at work, contact Health Services at 1-510-486-6266 or email covidinfo@lbl.gov. The Health Services nurses will provide guidance based on your symptoms. Do not come to a Lab site or travel on official business if you have any COVID symptoms.  

If you test positive, you can return to a Lab site or continue official business travel when:

• Your symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours, AND
• You are fever-free for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medication such as aspirin or acetaminophen.

If you test positive and do not have any symptoms, you can return to a Lab site or continue official business travel without any isolation time, but be sure to contact Health Services to report the positive test.

When returning after a positive COVID test, you must wear a face covering for ten days from when you tested positive or started having symptoms. If you need face coverings, contact your supervisor or building manager. 

If you are exposed to someone with COVID, you are no longer required to mask and test. However, it is recommended to mask for ten days and test within five days, especially if you or those around you are at higher risk. If needed, you can request a test kit by emailing covidinfo@lbl.gov.

The Lab uses information from Cal/OSHA, the California Department of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control in designing its COVID protocols. Additional information is available at covid.lbl.gov and ehs.lbl.gov/coronavirus/. If you have any questions, please contact Health Services at 1-510-486-6266 or email covidinfo@lbl.gov.

Other Viruses 

A variety of other viruses have caused respiratory illnesses since long before 2019 and two in particular should be on everyone’s radar – influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – because of their potential to cause more severe disease, particularly in the very old and the very young, as well as anyone with a suppressed immune system or other chronic medical problems. Prevention strategies for COVID, such as masking and hand hygiene, are appropriate for these viruses as well.

Rarely, these infections can be severe even in otherwise healthy individuals. Preventative measures include vaccination for some conditions and, for any respiratory tract infection:

• Proper cough etiquette/“covering one’s cough”
• Seeking medical care if you become ill and have underlying medical conditions or for those at extremes of age
• Seeking medical care if symptoms are moderate to severe or progressive  
• Staying home and otherwise keeping some distance from others when ill

Though we became much more familiar with these strategies during the pandemic, they are principles that have always been effective at limiting the impact of any respiratory virus on ourselves and our communities—whether it be the minor but real nuisance of a rhinoviral “common cold” or a severe case of the flu. 

You can read more about the flu.