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Healthy Workplace Policies

The City of Largo’s Emergency Management Team is collaborating with County and State Health Officials, as well as monitoring and adhering to the latest guidelines posted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Due to the fact that there's no current vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. *Please note, recommendations from the CDC below can change at any time. The latest information can be found at CDC.gov.

What is my risk?

Person-to-person spread
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
  • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). Respiratory droplets are produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of nearby people or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Can someone spread the virus without being sick?
  • According to current studies, people are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic, 6 to 14 days after contracting the virus. Generally speaking early isolation measures work best to control the spread.
  • Spread may be possible before people show symptoms but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. 
Can it spread from contact with contaminated surfaces or objects?
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, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
What do I do if I come into contact with someone that's being tested or has tested positive for COVID-19?
Unless an employee is living on the same household with a positive case, the risk level for our employees are classified as “Low” or “No Identifiable Risk” category.
  • If you are not symptomatic (Cough, Fever, Short of Breath, etc.) wear a face covering at all times and self-monitoring your health.
  • If you become symptomatic, you should immediately practice social isolation and seek medical advice from a health care professional.
  • These recommendations are for those that work in a business setting only.
  • Fire and Police Department personnel have a separate guideline for their exposure risk and should follow the guidelines from those departments.

Protecting Your Health

Clean Your Hands Often
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid Close Contact
  • Avoid people who are sick.
  • Even if you think they are healthy, put distance between yourself and other people especially when the virus is active in your community.
  • This is critically important for:
    • People older than 65, and or
    • Underlying Medical problems, such as, Heart Disease, Diabetes, Cancer, Lung Disease or others with a known weakened immune system.
Stay home if you're sick
Stay home if you’re sick and know the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and what to do if symptomatic.
Cover coughs and sneezes
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow and throw used tissues in the trash.
  • Immediately wash your hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Wear a face covering
  • If you are sick: You should wear a face covering at all times (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office.)
  • If you are NOT sick: You should wear a face covering when social distancing is not practical
  • City of Largo team members are asked to wear a face covering any time outside of your personal work space.
  • Wearing a face covering protects the transmission from those carrying the virus that are asymptomatic and may be unaware they are infected.
Clean and disinfect often
  • Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
  • If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

Know the symptoms

How do I know if it's COVID-19 or something else?
ALLERGIES:
Runny nose
Sneezing
Red, swollen eyes
Itchy eyes / nose
Tickle in the throat
Fever**

COLD:
Runny nose
Sneezing
Sore throat
Aches & Pains
Mild dry cough
Fever**

STREP:
Sore throat
Painful swallowing
Fever

FLU:
Fever is common
Dry cough
Quick onset Headache
Sore throat
Fatigue
Runny nose*
Diarrhea* 

COVID-19:
Shortness of breath 
Fever (above 100 degrees) 
Dry cough 
Gradual onset (two to 14 days after onset) 
Headache* 
Aches and pains* 
Mild sneezing 
Fatigue, but it’s not predominate like the flu 
Diarrhea**

*Sometimes
** Rarely
How do I know?
Just because you are sick, does not mean you had the COVID -19 Virus. However, if you are sick, STAY HOME UNLESS YOU NEED TO SEEK MEDICAL CARE.

  • Stay home. People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to recover at home. Do not leave, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas.
  • Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before your doctor’s office prior to you going to get medical care.
  • Call 911 if you have a medical emergency: Notify the operator that you have or think you might have, COVID-19. If possible, put on a facemask before medical help arrives.
  • Separate yourself from other people in your home:
    • Stay away from others: As much as possible, you should stay in a specific “sick room” and separate bathroom to stay away from other people in your home.
    • Do not share: Do not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people in your home.
    • Limit contact with pets & animals: Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people with the virus limit contact with animals until more information is known.
When can I return to work?
According to the CDC, people who had confirmed cases of COVID-19 (Positive test by medical provider) who had stayed home (home isolated) can stop home isolation under the following conditions:

If you will not have a test to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:  
  • You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (without the use medicine that reduces fevers)
  • AND other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved)
  • AND at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared
If you will be tested to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
  • You no longer have a fever (without the use medicine that reduces fevers)
  • AND Other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved)
  • AND You received two negative tests in a row, 24 hours apart. Your doctor will follow CDC guidelines.
The decision to stop home isolation should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider and state and local health departments. Check with your supervisor to determine any specific guidelines being required by the City of Largo before returning to work.

If you have any questions or concerns with the COVID-19 virus, please feel free to visit the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/ index.html.                   

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