COVID-19 Update

As Ohio eases back into operation during the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to update our status on health and safety precautions here at UDS.

COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines   

Updated March 2022 

UDS is committed to providing everyone a safe and healthy environment. The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented actions on the behalf of the federal and state government in order to protect each individuals from illness, safeguard the workplace and control the transmission of the virus to the community at large.

Before COVID-19, UDS consistently implemented high standards of health and safety with our use of universal precautions and disinfectant/sanitation protocols.

UDS will abide by the guidelines of the CDC, Ohio and County departments of health. Masks, disinfectant spray, sanitizer and gloves are provided in every department with access to hand washing stations on every floor. 

On 2/25/22 CDC issued a new COVID-19 Community Level tool to help counties determine preventative steps based on the latest data within their community. Based on this tool, UDS will modify its prevention and protection protocols as conditions change within Summit County.

Low/Green Medium/Yellow High/Red

[www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html]

Symptom Monitoring:

Staff will continue to monitor symptoms that may indicate a COVID virus infection.

Fever or chills Headache
Cough New loss of taste or smell
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Sore throat
Fatigue Congestion or runny nose
Muscle or body aches Nausea or vomiting
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest Diarrhea

Please contact your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. You cannot be in the work environment with symptoms. Please utilize testing to determine virus status and we encourage you to seek medical attention.

Return to Programs:
Be sure to contact your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. You cannot be in the program environment with symptoms and are encouraged to use available testing options to determine virus status and seek medical attention if needed. If you test positive, please notify your program supervisor/representative before returning to UDS. Upon your return you will be asked to continue masking while still recovering from the virus.

Masks:
Mask wearing indoors is not mandatory when Summit County Community Level is Low or Medium. Mask wearing is encouraged as a personal choice based on individual and/or family health conditions

Masks will be optional during transportation services. For certain medical transportation provided to the public, as a best practice, we ask drivers to continue wearing masks on those trips until notified otherwise.

When Community Level shifts to High, all agency employees, individuals receiving services and visitors must wear a mask while in our facilities. Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis where wearing a face covering is not advisable for health purposes (i.e., individuals-served with tolerance and tactile concerns). Face shields are an alternative when face masks are not tolerated.

  • Masks are reusable and can be worn until they no longer fit snug around your face.
  • Homemade multi-layered masks that cover your nose and mouth snug are acceptable if they meet those guidelines.
  • Masks will be worn inside the building, during social distancing and when in common program areas. They do not have to be worn when you are alone in your designated work space or outside on agency property.
  • CDC recommends selecting a mask that:
  1. Has two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric;
    Completely cover your nose and mouth;
  2. Fit snugly against the side of your face and don’t have gaps;
  3. Has a nose wire to prevent air from leaking out of the top of the mask.

      [ https://www.cdc.gov/ ]

Ongoing Preventative Measures like social distancing, good hand hygiene, illness protocols and cleaning/disinfecting will continue at UDS as a means to reduce and prevent all respiratory illnesses.

Vaccination:
We continue to strongly recommend individuals get vaccinated and boosted as a means to keep our facility safe and healthy. Our goal is keep our employees and persons served from getting seriously ill and hospitalized from the virus. Vaccinations combined with preventative measures are effective strategies with all respiratory illnesses. Vaccines are still free and readily available at most pharmacies.

 If you have any questions or concerns regarding these guidelines or regarding health and safety, please contact your program supervisor/representative.

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