- Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick
- Isolation separates infected and sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick
How do I separate myself from others whether I am quarantining or isolating?
- Health officials recommend a “sick room” or area for those who are infected and a separate bathroom, if possible
- That means you should stay in a separate room and use a separate bathroom from other people in your household, if possible, the CDC says
- You should also wear a mask if you have to be around other people
- Avoid sharing items (like cups and towels)
- Avoid public transportation and generally avoid contact with other people
- Monitor yourself for symptoms. You will likely get specific instructions from your doctor’s office about what to watch for, which might include things like taking your temperature every day
5. What should you do if you or someone with whom you have been in close contact tests positive for coronavirus during the holidays?
If I am Fully Vaccinated AND HAVE RECEIVED MY BOOSTER and am Asymptomatic:
- If you have received your booster shot, you do not need to quarantine after an exposure, but should wear a mask for 10 days following the exposure and get tested at day 5
- If you are traveling home after a holiday visit, and are vaccinated and asymptomatic: you can do so by car with other vaccinated and asymptomatic people or by commercial transportation as long as you follow the masking requirements
- The BCAC recommends wearing your masks at all times when going outside your home and when in contact with people whose vaccine status you don’t know
- If symptoms do occur you should immediately quarantine, until a negative test confirms that the symptoms are not due to COVID-19
If I am Fully Vaccinated (Within The Last Six Months) But Without the Booster and Asymptomatic:
- You do not need to quarantine after an exposure, but should wear a mask for 10 days following the exposure and get tested at day 5
- The BCAC recommends wearing your masks at all times when going outside your home and when in contact with people whose vaccine status you don’t know
If I am Fully Vaccinated (But More Than Six Months Ago for Moderna or Pfizer and Two Months Ago For J&J) And Still Without the Booster and Asymptomatic:
- Quarantine by staying home for 5 days
- After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days
- If you can’t quarantine you must wear a mask for 10 days
- Test on day 5
- The BCAC recommends wearing your masks at all times when going outside your home and when in contact with people whose vaccine status you don’t know
If I am Not Vaccinated and Asymptomatic:
- Quarantine by staying home for 5 days
- After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days
- If you can’t quarantine you must wear a mask for 10 days
- Test on day 5
- The BCAC recommends wearing your masks at all times when going outside your home and when in contact with people whose vaccine status you don’t know
6. What should you do if you test positive?
Everyone, regardless of vaccination status:
- Isolate by staying home for 5 days
- Assume that you’re infected and can spread the virus to others: it takes time for symptoms and tests to emerge as positive…you still can spread the virus to others before you feel ill or test positive
- If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house
- Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days
- The BCAC respects the CDC’s guidance but take a more cautious approach regarding continual mask wearing when around other people
- If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves
- Don’t forget to tell your close contacts that you tested positive and they may have been exposed
7. What To Do If Symptoms Develop?
COVID symptoms can appear anywhere from two to 14 days after someone is exposed to the virus
- Anyone with symptoms should get tested for COVID immediately and contact their healthcare provider
- You should immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms that the symptoms are not due to COVID-19
- If you’re having severe symptoms:
- Call your doctor’s office and get their advice because:
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- There are of course other things like the flu that are out there that can mimic COVID symptoms
- They may recommend that you receive Monoclonal Antibodies (see below)
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- If you’re having mild or lingering symptoms and your at home test was negative:
- Retest in three to five days…that’s why most of these kits actually come with two tests
8. When Should You Call a Doctor?
When you have tested positive and have symptoms. The CDC urges those who have or may have COVID-19 to watch for emergency warning signs and seek medical care immediately if they experience symptoms including:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone