Over the past few weeks it seems like COVID-19 has been unavoidable. With more people getting sick, it’s important to know what to do if you test positive for COVID-19.
In late December, the CDC updated their recommendations for quarantine and isolation for the general public. These new recommendations are not applicable to healthcare personnel, for recommendations for healthcare workers visit the CDC’s website. Additionally, Green County Public Health is currently in crisis standards of contact tracing, so not everyone who tests positive for COVID-19 will receive a call from us. Keep reading and share this article with others to learn the latest recommendations and what you should do if you develop COVID-19.
If you test positive for COVID-19 you need to isolate at home for at least 5 days. People who are asymptomatic (have no symptoms) can isolate for 5 days from the day they were tested, whereas the day were tested is day 0. Then, they’ll need to wear a well-fitting mask around others for an additional 5 days. People who have symptoms need to isolate for at least 5 days from when their symptoms began, whereas their symptom onset date is day 0. If on day 5 your symptoms have improved and you have not had a fever for 24 hours (without the use of fever reducing medication) you can leave your home on day 6, but you need to wear a well-fitting mask for the next 5 days. People who cannot wear a mask for the second 5 days will need to isolate for 10 days. If your symptoms are not improving or you continue to have a fever on day 5, you will need to continue to stay home until your symptoms improve and you are fever free for 24 hours.
While you are isolating you should avoid being around your household members, and wear a well-fitting mask if you need to be around them. If you are able to, you should use a separate bathroom and bedroom. After you receive your test result be sure to notify your employer of your result, and that you will need to stay home. You should also notify your child’s school or daycare if they test positive. We ask that individuals who test positive notify their close contacts as well. People with COVID-19 are infectious the two days before symptoms start, and anyone who would have been within 6 feet of you for more than 15 minutes during those two days or while you had symptoms is a close contact.
People who were in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 need to quarantine for at least 5 days from their last exposure, whereas the day of exposure is day 0. You can leave your home on day 6 as long as you have not developed any symptoms. Additionally, you will need to wear a well-fitting mask around others for the next 5 days. If you’re unable to wear a mask you will need to quarantine for 10 days from exposure. These quarantine guidelines also apply to those who are not up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations.
If you received your second dose of an mRNA vaccine in the past 6 months, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in the past two months, or you have received your booster dose you do not need to quarantine. Even if you’re vaccinated against COVID-19 you should wear a mask while you’re around other people for 10 days after exposure, and watch for symptoms to develop.
Everyone who is exposed to COVID-19 should get tested for COVID-19 5 days after they were exposed. If you develop symptoms you should isolate away from others and get tested.
In addition to taking the appropriate precautions after you test positive or are exposed to COVID-19, Green County Public Health encourages everyone to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or to get your booster dose. Everyone 5 years of age and older is eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19, and people 12 years of age and older are eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose. If you received an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine you can get your booster 5 months after you received your second dose, and if you received Johnson & Johnson you can get your booster 2 months after your initial dose. The COVID-19 vaccines work. These vaccines continue to be very effective at reducing the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death for those who get COVID-19. However, scientists are starting to see reduced protection against mild and moderate disease, especially among certain groups of people. This is why getting a booster dose is important.
Lastly, due to the high level of disease transmission in our community it is recommended that everyone 2 years of age and older wear a mask in public indoor places. When you go into the gas station, grocery store or when you’re around people at work you should wear a well-fitting mask. Masks help protect the wearer from getting, and from spreading COVID-19.
If you have more questions about COVID-19 you can visit the Green County Public Health website, Wisconsin Department of Health Services website or the CDC website.
— Bridget Craker is the Public Health Educator for the Green County Public Health Department and can be reached at bcraker@greengountywi.org or 608-328-9509.
