Simone Lawson
Close contact with a COVID-positive person is defined by the CDC as being within 6 feet of a confirmed positive case for at least 15 minutes, starting from 2 days before the person developed symptoms. This definition has been a topic of debate, with some experts arguing that four hours is too long a time for the virus to spread, and that the definition should not exclude those in high-risk work settings. Contact tracing is a method used to identify situations in which an infected person is transmitting the virus and then warn others who may have been exposed. Those who have been exposed are asked to quarantine themselves for 5-10 days to reduce the spread of the virus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Distance | Within 6 feet |
| Time | 15 minutes or more |
| Setting | Household, workplace, or any other gathering |
| Symptoms | Not necessary for the infected person to show symptoms |
| Testing | Positive test confirmation |
| Quarantine | 14 days from the last day of close contact |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Close contact definition
Close contact with a COVID-positive person is defined differently across various regions. The CDC defines close contact as being within 6 feet of a confirmed or probable COVID-19 patient for at least 15 minutes, starting from 2 days before the person developed symptoms. This definition also applies to asymptomatic patients, counting back from 2 days prior to the date of their positive test.
In Australia, the federal government's definition of close contact was narrowed to include only those who have spent four hours or more in a household setting, or similar, with a confirmed positive case. This decision was made to alleviate the pressure of lengthy queues at PCR testing clinics, but it puzzled and concerned health experts, who pointed out that the virus can spread in less than four hours and that the definition excludes high-risk work settings.
Close contact can occur in various settings, such as when caring for, living with, visiting, or sharing a healthcare waiting area with a COVID-positive person. It also includes direct contact with infectious secretions, such as being coughed on.
If you have been in close contact with a COVID-positive person, it is recommended that you schedule a COVID test 3-5 days after the exposure. If you develop symptoms, you should self-isolate and get tested as soon as possible. Close contacts should also follow relevant guidelines for isolation and quarantine, which typically range from 5 to 14 days.
Judicial Power: Constitutional Specifications Explained
You may want to see also
Quarantine guidelines
Contact Tracing
Contact tracing is a process used to identify situations where an infected person may have transmitted the virus to others. This process involves contacting the infected person to determine where and how they may have contracted the virus and who they may have exposed through close contact. Close contact is defined by the CDC as being within 6 feet of a confirmed or probable COVID-19 patient for at least 15 minutes, starting from 2 days before the person developed symptoms.
Notifying Close Contacts
If you have tested positive for COVID-19, it is important to notify your close contacts as soon as possible. This can be done through phone calls, emails, or texts. Inform your close contacts of their exposure and recommend that they get tested for COVID-19 at least 3-5 days after the exposure, or sooner if they develop symptoms.
If you have been exposed to COVID-19, follow these quarantine guidelines:
- Quarantine yourself for 14 days from your last close contact with the COVID-19 positive person.
- Day 1 of quarantine is the first day after your last close contact.
- Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet from others during quarantine.
- Monitor your symptoms closely. If you develop symptoms, self-isolate and get tested as soon as possible.
- If you need to be absent from work or school due to quarantine, notify your supervisor or professor and inform them of your expected absence.
Returning to Work or School
Before returning to campus or in-person activities, ensure that you have a negative COVID-19 test result and/or are symptom-free. This typically involves a 5-10 day isolation period from the start of symptoms or from the date of a positive test. If you are asymptomatic, continue to monitor your health and take extra precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.
Illinois' Constitutional Timeline: Dates and History
You may want to see also
Contact tracing
Firstly, officials contact the infected person to get details of where and how they might have caught the virus. Then, they try to determine who that person might have exposed through close contact. From there, they contact the people who were exposed and ask them to quarantine. Contact tracing usually goes back about 2-3 days before infected people started showing symptoms.
Close contact is generally defined as being within 6 feet of a confirmed COVID-19 patient for at least 15 minutes, starting from 2 days before the person developed symptoms. However, there has been some variation in the definition of close contact. For example, in Australia, the definition was narrowed to only include a person who has spent four hours or more in a household setting with a confirmed positive case. This was done to alleviate the pressures of lengthy queues at PCR testing clinics. However, this move was criticised by some health experts, who argued that four hours is too long a time for the virus to spread, and that the definition does not include those in high-risk work settings.
If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, it is recommended that you schedule a COVID test 3-5 days after exposure, and monitor your health. If you develop symptoms, you should self-isolate and get tested as soon as possible.
Constitution Hall Entry: Ticket or No Ticket?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Exposure risk factors
According to the CDC, close contact is defined as being within 6 feet of a COVID-19 patient for at least 15 minutes, starting from 2 days before the person developed symptoms. This definition also applies to asymptomatic patients, in which case the 2 days refer to the period before the positive test was collected. Spending four hours or more in a household setting with a confirmed positive case is also considered close contact.
Close contact can occur while caring for, living with, visiting, or sharing a healthcare waiting area or room with a COVID-19 case. Direct contact with infectious secretions, such as being coughed on, is another example of close contact.
The risk of exposure increases when there are more people in the same space who are COVID-positive. This could be in a residence, at a gathering, or in an office.
If you have been in close contact with someone who is COVID-positive, it is recommended that you schedule a COVID test 3-5 days after the exposure. If you develop symptoms, you should self-isolate and get tested as soon as possible.
Muslim Politicians: Constitution Oath, What's the Truth?
You may want to see also
Isolation requirements
The CDC defines a close contact as someone who has been within 6 feet of a confirmed or probable COVID-19 patient for at least 15 minutes, starting from 2 days before the person developed symptoms. However, in Australia, a close contact is defined as someone who has spent four hours or more in a household setting with a confirmed positive case.
If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, it is recommended that you schedule a COVID test 3-5 days after this exposure. If you develop symptoms, you should self-isolate and get tested as soon as possible.
- If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you should isolate for 10 days from the start of your symptoms. If you are asymptomatic, you should isolate for 10 days from the date of your positive test.
- Those who are sick or infected should separate themselves from others by staying in a specific "sick room" or area and using a separate bathroom, if possible.
- If you are symptomatic on day 10, your isolation will be extended until you are symptom-free without medication.
- If you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, you should quarantine for 14 days from your last contact with the positive person.
- If you are quarantining with other close contacts, you must remain socially distant at all times, staying at least 6 feet apart for 15 minutes or less while wearing masks.
- If you are unable to work or study due to your isolation, notify your professors, supervisors, or coaches of your absence.
It is important to monitor your symptoms and seek health care if your symptoms worsen or if you have risk factors for severe illness. Treatment for COVID-19 should be started within a few days of the onset of symptoms to reduce the severity and duration of the illness.
Founding Fathers' Vision: Guarding Against Tyranny
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Close contact is defined as being within 6 feet of a COVID-positive person for 15 minutes or longer, regardless of whether masks are worn.
Close contacts should quarantine for 10 to 14 days after their last exposure to the COVID-positive individual.
You are not considered a close contact just because your acquaintance has been quarantined. Only if they develop symptoms and meet the criteria for close contact are you considered a close contact.
It is still recommended that you get tested 3-5 days after the exposure and monitor your health.
Everyone the sick person lives with is considered a close contact and should follow CDC guidance on quarantining, testing, and masking, which varies depending on vaccination status.
