COVID-19: Resident Exposure

National Apartment Association offers advice for NAA members about the challenges associated with COVID-19 (also known as coronavirus) in the event a resident tests positive for the virus.

Confirmed Exposure

If a resident has been diagnosed with or shows signs or symptoms of COVID-19:

Refer to your company policies on infectious diseases.
Notify your supervisor and consider contacting the local health department for guidance regarding appropriate measures to take.
Instruct maintenance staff not to enter the unit; rather, await for specific instructions from local health officials.
Defer to the local health department's guidance when communicating to staff or other residents about the situation. Any disclosure made to the community must be done in compliance with privacy laws, and the information provided should not identify the name or location of the resident.

Resident Communication

Communication is as critical as preparation, and it’s important to be factual and transparent when sharing information with residents.

While residents are not required to inform you of a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis, you may ask your residents to notify management in the event they do test positive so that appropriate preventative measures can be taken to limit exposure to other residents and community staff.
Do not incite panic. However, residents should be aware that the virus has been identified within the community (should you chose to disclose the information), and that measures consistent with health officials' guidance will be followed.
If you learn of a case on your property, consider posting a notice and emailing the community. Because of privacy laws, information to include names, unit numbers and health information must remain confidential.
The owner or manager should follow health officials’ guidance, especially in the case of a quarantine.

Cleaning Procedures

As information is updated daily for COVID-19, recommendations are changing accordingly.

Precautions should be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by following guidance provided by the CDC, including regularly disinfecting common touchpoints such as doorknobs, tables, desks and handrails.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a list of effective disinfectant products to reference. Specific attention should be made to common entry points and exits such as elevators and stairwells.
Closing and providing limited access to common areas and amenity spaces should be considered.

Biohazard Remediation

A deep cleaning of common and high touch areas should be conducted following a confirmed case of COVID-19 in your apartment community.

The CDC offers a variety of recommendations regarding environmental cleaning and disinfection on a large scale and you are urged to follow them.
Obtaining the necessary equipment and protective gear may prove difficult for many housing providers, especially if there are many apartments. It may make sense in some cases to consider outsourcing this task to licensed contractors that have the necessary safety apparatus, cleaning products and familiarity with health regulations.

Maintenance

If a resident is confirmed to have or is believed to have COVID-19, do not direct facilities management or maintenance staff to the apartment.

Consider limiting or prioritizing maintenance service requests and repairs to emergencies and other material conditions affecting health or safety.
Have a plan in place for when an emergency is received that would require maintenance to enter a known area.
Review with maintenance personnel proper ways of communicating items like social distancing, PPE, cleaning chemicals and other relevant procedures.
Maintenance persons should always take appropriate precautions, even if residents haven’t communicated as having the virus or appear well.

Apartment Access

It should be decided how entry to an apartment will be conducted should an emergency or urgent need arise.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to comply with safety and health standards and regulations promulgated by the Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Heath Administration (OSHA) or by a state with an OSHA-approved state plan.
Not providing an appropriate action plan can lead to significant financial and/or legal liability, such as class action lawsuit.
OSHA has developed Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID19. By following existing OSHA standards, you are contributing to the reduction of employee exposure to COVID-19.

Legal Considerations

Legal issues may arise during this time for property managers. Be proactive and evaluate potential scenarios to stay ahead of the spread of the virus. Your property could be exposed to liability from the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, and you should be prepared to manage legal scenarios that may arise. For additional legal guidance in this area, contact your local counsel that specializes in the appropriate field.

Media Guidance

NAA recommends that incoming media requests be directed to the CDC and/or local health officials, who are better qualified to answer their questions at this time. Ensure your office has proper contact information for the local health authority and/or the best CDC resources for handling queries from local stakeholders. NAA recommends a holding statement be developed.

An example: "We appreciate your call. We are following recommendations and guidance from federal and state officials. Your questions are better directed to [Local Health Official] or the CDC, who are the best positioned to comment on this situation."