NIH Record - National Institutes of Health

OMS Resumes Normal Covid Reporting Procedures

Covid-19 test result stick held with blue-gloved hand
All staff are encouraged to report a new Covid-19 diagnosis to OMS.

Photo:  Shutterstock/Jarun Ontakrai

NIH still seeks to understand how the virus affects our workforce. The Occupational Medical Service is resuming normal reporting procedures for positive Covid-19 test results; this includes results obtained through community or at-home testing, and for teleworkers and remote workers.  

All staff, regardless of their return to physical workplace category, are encouraged to report a new diagnosis of Covid-19 infection, including diagnoses received in the community or from rapid testing (antigen-based, including at-home tests). Report the test result using the Coronavirus Surveillance Questionnaire: https://ors.od.nih.gov/Pages/oms-covid-screening.aspx.  

Do not send test results obtained prior to Feb. 2, 2022, unless you are currently symptomatic. Only recent positive test results or cases that require return to work guidance are requested. 

OMS has instituted a streamlined process for providing advice to staff diagnosed with Covid or reporting symptoms or exposures. In most cases, staff are only emailed instructions for self-care, quarantine, isolation and return-to-work guidance. If staff pose a risk of workplace transmission, OMS will follow up by phone with additional advice.

For more guidance on what to do if you test positive, if you have been exposed or are experiencing symptoms, visit: https://employees.nih.gov/pages/coronavirus/your-health.aspx.  

If you have any questions, contact the Covid-19 Call Center at (301) 480-8990 or email OMS at OMSMonitoringProgram@mail.nih.gov

The NIH Record

The NIH Record, founded in 1949, is the biweekly newsletter for employees of the National Institutes of Health.

Published 25 times each year, it comes out on payday Fridays.

Associate Editor: Dana Talesnik
Dana.Talesnik@nih.gov (link sends e-mail)

Assistant Editor: Eric Bock
Eric.Bock@nih.gov (link sends e-mail)

Staff Writer: Amber Snyder
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