Most people who get COVID-19 will have mild to moderate symptoms similar to cold and flu symptoms and are able to recover at home with fluids and rest.

Symptoms may include:

◊ Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
◊ Chills, Repeated shaking with chills
◊ Muscle pain
◊ Headache
◊ Sore throat
◊ Loss of taste or smell
◊ Diarrhea
◊ Fever, greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit
◊ ***If you have allergies or headaches regularly, please note you are looking for a change in symptoms.

Isolate yourself from others and stay home. Contact your primary care provider/health department and contact Hays CISD Employee Services: HRCOVID@hayscisd.net

1. If you live with or have close contact with this person you should not come to work.
2. Obtain a note from the physician regarding self-quarantine guidelines until results are returned.
3. Immediately contact Hays CISD Employee Services: HRCOVID@hayscisd.net

HR Employee Services will handle leave questions and also facilitate information to your campus while keeping your personal data confidential.

HR will ask a series of questions to help determine the district's course of action and they will explain different programs that you may be eligible for while off of work.

There are several scenarios that will determine if you are eligible for FFCRA or if you will need to use your own leave. Variables may include: testing because you have a family member with positive results, you have symptoms, or you are testing for precautionary reasons.

For more information visit: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla/pandemic 

FFCRA is Families First Coronavirus Response Act, an extension of FMLA. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19.[1] The Department of Labor’s (Department) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) administers and enforces the new law’s paid leave requirements. These provisions will apply from the effective date through December 31, 2020.

The virus is thought to mainly spread from person to person close contact (within 6 feet) with an infected person. The spread occurs when an infected person coughs or sneezes and the respiratory droplets land in another person’s mouth or nose who in close contact. Monitor yourself for symptoms on a daily basis. Wash your hands frequently (soap and water for at least 20 seconds) Avoid close contact with those who are sick in your home and Social Distance (6’ or greater) when outside your home. Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth covering or mask if you are around others. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or with the crook f your elbow. Clean and disinfect the frequently touched surfaces regularly.

First, talk to your co-worker and express your concerns. If they are unresponsive, speak with your supervisor.

Contact your medical provider or the Hays County hotline for instructions at 512-393-5525 for questions about testing. Testing is generally only recommended for those two or more symptoms or who have had close contact with someone with a known positive COVID-19 test in the last 14 days.

For information about testing sites visit: https://hayscountytx.com/covid-19-testing-sites-in-hays-by-appointment-only/

The district follows CDC and health department guidelines for notification based on level of exposure. The guidelines we have in place are to minimize the risk of spreading the virus. If you are believed to be at risk, you will be notified and advised to self-monitor for 14-days from exposure date. If you experience symptoms - self-isolate, contact your medical provider and contact Dabney Barrett, Hays CISD Coordinator of Employee Services at: HRCOVID@hayscisd.net 

According to the CDC, symptoms may appear from 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

For additional information visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

Yes - this is called “asymptomatic of a condition or a person producing or showing no symptoms.” You can still spread the virus to others which is why we ask all employees to cover their nose and mouth with a cloth covering when around others at work.

You may experience some or all of the published symptoms. Every person is different.

Medical professionals are working to develop a vaccine but currently one does not exist. It is important to continue social distancing, wearing masks and hand washing to lessen your risk to the virus.

If you have any of these symptoms, seek emergency care immediately:

◊ Trouble breathing
◊ Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
◊ New confusion
◊ Inability to wake or stay awake
◊ Bluish lips or face
◊ Any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you

Each situation is different, and many factors must be taken into consideration: Were people wearing masks? Were you within 6 feet of the infected person longer than 15 minutes? Was the infected person displaying symptoms? Were people social distancing? When was the infected person last in the area? Can disinfecting be done for affected areas?

Based on the responses to the questions, the district will respond to take the appropriate action to maintain the safety of our personnel and visitors. Often, this can be done quickly by thorough cleaning and cause little disruption in daily activities.

The virus is believed to mainly be spread from person to person close contact. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or possibly their eyes. This is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

For more information visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/cleaning-disinfecting-decision-tool.html

We ask that everyone wears PPE (personal protective equipment) to protect each other from the spread of COVID-19.

If your doctor tells you to self-quarentine, please contact HR so that we can gather your documentation to see if you qualify for FFCRA or FMLA. Contact HR at HRCOVID@hayscisd.net

You may still qualify for FMLA. Please contact HRCOVID@hayscisd.net

You may be exposed to COVID-19 through casual encounters while wearing your PPE (personal protective equipment) however, ʺclose contactʺ would mean that you have been exposed to COVID-19 while within 6 foot and without any PPE  as extra protection. This type of exposure can raise your changes of contracting COVID-19.

Each test result will vary depending on where it was taken and to which lab it was sent for results. Our contacts at the Department of Health estimate that it can take between 5-7 days in most cases however, it is possible to take up to 20 days for some results.

Yes, each state has its own guidelines regarding self-quarantine. There are specific countries that may fall into a category in which you will be mandated by federal/state guidelines to self-quarantine.

We ask that you self- monitor for 14 days. If you choose to get tested, you may return to work awaiting results while still monitoring your symptoms.

HIPPA prohibits any sharing of personal health data. Please fill free to follow the link below for more information on HIPPA and what it does for you, then contact HR for any additional information.

For more information visit https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/index.html

The district will make you aware of any areas that you are not to enter until it's been properly disinfected. Normally disinfecting is done outside of normal operational hours.

If you choose to be tested during work hours you will need to take the traditional route and get an approval to leave work from your supervisor. You will also need to enter that time away from work into your time keeping system, i.e. Smartfind or TCP.

You should self-monitor every day before you come to work. If you need help please use the CDC guidelines to assist you.

Visit the ʺSelf-Checkerʺ on the CDC website - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

All absences will need to be logged into your appropriate absence tracking system (either Smartfind or TCP). If you believe that you need a substitute, you will need to contact your immediate supervisor for approval during the time in which our district is virtual learning.

If you normally would get a substitute to cover the position and you believe that you still need a substitute, then you must have the substitute job approved by your administrator while we are in the virtual learning time period.  If you have questions regarding that process please contact your administrator or Tricia Griffith (Tricia.Griffith@haysicsd.net).

If you are an employee that needs to be absent, for more than 3 days for a medical reason, please contact HR Employee Services at HRCOVID@hayscisd.net. Normal FMLA guidelines will be followed to make sure the employee qualifies for FMLA/TDL.

Being affected by COVID-19 means that an employee is unable to work because the employee is caring for a child (when school/daycare is closed due to COVID-19), has been infected with COVID-19, is caring for a person that is under a doctor’s care or has been advised to self-quarantine.

If an employee is affected by COVID-19 please contact HR Employee Services at HRCOVID@hayscisd.net for options regarding new personnel provisions enacted starting April 1, 2020.

If you have already arranged for a long-term guest teacher or substitute, please verify with your supervisor that the substitute is needed. After speaking to your immediate supervisor if you are still unsure, please verify with Tricia Griffith (Tricia.Griffith@hayscisd.net) before moving forward.

The employee should contact HR Employee Services at HRCOVID@hayscisd.net to send a return to work release note or Fitness for Duty Form: https://www.hayscisd.net/cms/lib/TX02204837/Centricity/Domain/100/Fitness_for_Duty_Certification.pdf

No, an employee cannot return to work before they have submitted a RETURN TO WORK (RTW) form via fax to HR at 512.268.7384.  At the time that HR receives the RTW form, HR will email the administrator(s) to let them know when the employee expects to return to work. Every employee on leave has been made aware that a RTW form must be received at least 2 working days before the expected return date. This gives everyone time to make any accommodations i.e. working and sub arrangements. An employee cannot submit a RTW form that is backdated to allow for past work. Contact HRCOVID@hayscisd.net.

From 04/01/2020 to 12/31/2020 new guidelines are in place to assist employees with COVID-19 related issues. In short, these provisions have outlined that most employees that are directly affected by COVID-19 may qualify for some job protection and pay. If an employee is affected by COVID-19 there are special guidelines that do not follow the normal FMLA guidelines. 

To read more on this topic, please visit: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic