Santa Ana Unified School District

Staff Member Guide: What happens next? / FAQs

 “Close Contact / COVID Exposure” (NO SYMPTOMS)

I was identified as a close contact or had a possible COVID exposure.  What happens next?

Per CDC, close contact is defined as someone sharing the same indoor airspace (e.g. classroom, team, activity group) for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period (for example, three individual 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes) during a person’s infectious period. .

1. Report on FLAIRZ: you need to report your possible COVID exposure on FLAIRZ. FLAIRZ is able to determine if you need to quarantine based on your vaccination status and if you have developed any symptoms.
   • Fully vaccinated means a person has received their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines.  Further details on vaccination status are available by visiting this CDC webpage. 
2. FLAIRZ Determination: once FLAIRZ has made a determination, provide a copy or screenshot of the notification or email to your supervisor.
   • Determination - CLEARED: If you were cleared by FLAIRZ, then you may remain physically at work.  Although you are cleared to remain at work after your exposure, per CDPH, close contacts should be tested 3 to 5 days after being exposed and, per Cal/OSHA masking guidance, it is required that persons wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days after exposure, especially in indoor settings.
   • .  You do not need to quarantine while you wait to be tested or while you wait for your test results, unless you later develop symptoms.  If you later develop symptoms, then report a new case on FLAIRZ for a new determination.
   • Determination - ON HOLD: If you were placed “ON HOLD” by FLAIRZ, then immediately go home, notify your supervisor, and see the section below for details.

“On Hold”

I was placed “On Hold” by the FLAIRZ / the Covid Task Force. What happens next?

1. Stay Home & Isolate. Keep your family members and friends safe by isolating since you are uncertain if you have the COVID-19 virus.   Do NOT assume it is a cold/flu.  READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE YOU GET TESTED.   You do not want to be tested too soon, especially if you were a close contact, unless you are unvaccinated, then it is recommended for you to test immediately.  Per CDPH, close contacts requires staff to get tested 3 to 5 days after being exposed and, per Cal/OSHA masking guidance, it is required that persons wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days after exposure, especially in indoor settings.
2. .  The COVID Task Force can assist you in finding the appropriate date for you to be tested.  The COVID Task Force will send you a notification or email, within 1 business day*, regarding testing information.   *Please note, if there is a high peak of COVID cases, it may take longer for the COVID Task Force to review your case.  If you already tested positive for COVID-19, then upload your test results on FLAIRZ.  The COVID Task Force will call you soon for contact tracing.  
3. Report Absences: you are responsible for reporting your absences. Report your absences on a day to day basis until you receive a notification or a call from the Covid Task Force.  You can enter your absence as “covid sick” if the benefit is available. “COVID sick” absences are not taken from an employee's personal sick/vacation leave balance, unless if the employee has already exhausted their COVID sick leave benefit and/or the absence benefit has expired.  Please click here for additional information on the "COVID Sick" absence benefit. 
4. Testing: Most likely, within one business day, you will get a notification / email from FLAIRZ indicating that you are to be tested. Your test may be scheduled that same day, the next day, or 3-5 days after.   Unvaccinated individuals who had an exposure should test immediately, but will have to test again on the 5th day after the known exposure.  This 5th day test, if negative, may allow the unvaccinated individual, who had an exposure, to return to work on the 6th day after the known exposure, unless there is a new exposure.    
5. TEST PENDING: most test results take 24-48 hours, if they are performed at the designated testing location indicated by the COVID Task Force.  Results may take longer if there is an increase in testing demand. 
6. UPLOAD RESULTS: once you receive your results, upload them on the FLAIRZ app. The COVID Task Force does NOT upload your results when you test at the designated facility.  A negative test does not automatically clear you to return to work. The COVID Task Force will determine, based on the improvement of your symptoms, if you are cleared to return to work.  Unvaccinated individuals, who had an exposure, will have to quarantine for a minimum of 5 days, starting the day after the exposure, even if no symptoms appear.  Please note, an unvaccinated individual may be cleared to return to work on the 6th day after the known exposure, if they test negative from a test taken no sooner than the 5th day after the exposure. 
7. PHONE CALL: The COVID Task Force will review your results and case within one business day after you submit your results on FLAIRZ.  You will then receive a notification/email from FLAIRZ of your return to work day. Enter additional absences if needed.
8. NOTIFY: Notify your supervisor of your return to work date and provide them proof by sending them a copy or screenshot of the FLAIRZ notification / email that indicates the return to work date.

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   For questions or concerns, contact:

   SAUSD - COVID Task Force

   (Phone) 714-480-5282                (Email) CovidTaskForce@sausd.us