In a context of increasing vaccination coverage among professionals working in health care (ES) and social and medico-social establishments (ESMS), and given the very strong tensions observed in the supply of care, the HCSP is updating its previous recommendations on isolation from work (January 14 and 18, and February 3, 2021).
After a review of the epidemiological data on the disease and on Covid-19 vaccination coverage, and an analysis of the literature and international recommendations, the HCSP advocates a cautious attitude and makes the following recommendations:
- To intensify the Covid-19 vaccination campaign for professionals in health care institutions and institutions for the elderly, as vaccination coverage rates remain insufficient to date.
- To analyse clinical and microbiological follow-up data on professionals in ES and ESMS vaccinated according to a complete vaccination scheme in order to assess the protection of the vaccination against the risk of transmission
- To maintain the recommendations concerning professionals (vaccinated or not) who have been in contact with of a case of Covid-19, contained in the statement of 23 May 2020.
- That professionals working in health care facilities, whether or not they have been vaccinated, continue to respect the strict application of barrier measures as detailed in the statement of the 3rd of February 2021 by limiting their social interactions during breaks and meals without masks.
- That for professionals working in ES and ESMS who are diagnosed with a current SARS-COV-2 infection:
If they are unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated, they are required to complete a 10-day quarantine period.
- If they are asymptomatic and newly diagnosed as SARS-CoV-2 positive, and have received a complete vaccination regimen or have not received a complete vaccination regimen but have a history of Covid-19 (with a symptomatic form) that occurred more than 15 days and less than 6 months prior to the positive diagnostic test of the current episode of SARS CoV-2 infection, and are not immunocompromised, they can be kept in practice only in case of hospital tension and risk of disruption of the supply and safety of care. Strict adherence to barrier measures (see above) is essential.
If they are pauci-symptomatic or symptomatic and have just been diagnosed as positive for SARS-CoV-2, and have received a full vaccination regimen, or have not received a full vaccination regimen but have a history of Covid-19 (in any clinical form) that occurred more than 15 days and less than 6 months prior to the positive diagnostic test for the current episode of SARS CoV-2 infection, they should be required to complete a 10-day quarantine period.