Simply being exposed to COVID-19 or even being diagnosed with COVID-19 is not necessarily a serious health condition as defined by CT Paid Leave. Therefore, it is not necessarily a qualifying reason for income replacement benefits under CT Paid Leave.
An eligible worker may receive CT Paid Leave benefits in connection with an exposure to or diagnosis with COVID-19 only if they can provide medical documentation from their health care provider demonstrating that the COVID-19 exposure/diagnosis results in the person having a condition that rises to the definition of a 'serious health condition'.
The elements of the definition of a 'serious health condition' that are most likely to apply are as follows:
The condition requires an overnight stay in a hospital or other medical care facility; or
The condition incapacitates the employee (for example, unable to work) for more than three consecutive days and that include ongoing medical treatment (either multiple appointments with a health care provider, or a single appointment and follow-up care, such as prescription medication) or,
The condition results in or exacerbates a chronic condition that causes occasional periods when the employee is incapacitated, and which require treatment by a health care provider at least twice a year.
Similarly, an eligible worker may receive CT Paid Leave benefits because they need to serve as a caregiver to a family member who was exposed to or diagnosed with COVID-19 only if the family member’s health care provider certifies that the family member’s exposure/diagnosis results in the family member having a serious health condition.