Malcolm Rivera
Close contact with someone who has COVID-19 is generally defined as being within six feet of someone who is showing symptoms of COVID-19, for at least 15 minutes, or an infected person who shows no symptoms but later tests positive for the coronavirus. This definition has been narrowed in some countries to only include those who have spent four hours or more in a household setting with a confirmed positive case. If you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, it is recommended that you quarantine yourself for two weeks, monitor yourself for symptoms, and practice social distancing and good hygiene.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Distance | Within 6 feet of someone with COVID-19 |
| Time | 15 minutes or more (cumulative) within 48 hours of the infected person showing symptoms |
| Setting | Household or similar setting |
| Symptoms | Fever, sore throat, dry cough, runny nose, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell |
| Transmission | Respiratory droplets, physical contact, sharing utensils or drinking glasses |
| Prevention | Quarantine, social distancing, wearing masks, disinfecting surfaces |
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What You'll Learn
Close contact
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently expanded its definition of "close contact" to determine potential exposure to COVID-19. Close contact is now defined as a combined total of 15 minutes spent within six feet of someone infected with COVID-19 within a 24-hour period. This definition includes multiple brief encounters that add up to 15 minutes, and it applies to people who work in close proximity, such as restaurant workers. Previously, close contact was defined as a continuous period of at least 15 minutes near someone with the virus.
If you have been identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19, you should closely monitor yourself for any symptoms of the virus. You do not need to self-quarantine unless you develop symptoms or if the person identified as a close contact also develops COVID-19. However, if you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 and live in the same household, you will need to quarantine for 14 days from the last day of close contact or from the date the infected person is cleared from isolation.
It's important to note that close contact with someone infected is considered exposure to the virus even if one or both individuals were wearing face coverings. The infected period starts two days before symptoms begin or two days before the infected person receives a positive COVID test result. People who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past three months and have recovered do not need to quarantine or get tested again unless they develop new symptoms.
Employees who have been exposed to COVID-19 or have any symptoms should seek medical attention as soon as possible. They can generally return to work after at least 14 days have passed since the last known exposure or when they are fever-free, have improving symptoms, and at least 10 days have passed since their symptoms began. A negative COVID-19 test is not required for employees to return to work.
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Quarantine and self-isolation
If you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, you should quarantine yourself for 14 days from the date of exposure. During this time, monitor yourself for fever and other signs of infection. If you live with others, it is recommended to sleep in a separate room, avoid sharing food, frequently disinfect surfaces, and minimise contact with other household members. Wearing a mask when you cannot maintain physical distance from other household members is also advised.
Self-isolation, on the other hand, refers to keeping someone infected with COVID-19 away from others, even within their own home. If someone in your household is infected, they should isolate in a separate bedroom, only leaving to use the bathroom. Utilise technology to connect with the sick person and ensure they have human contact. It is important to decline visitors and conduct any necessary interactions outdoors while maintaining a distance of at least six feet.
While the CDC's definition of close contact has been updated, some experts have criticised the narrowed definition as irresponsible, arguing that the virus can spread in less time and that the new definition excludes high-risk work settings.
To summarise, quarantine and self-isolation are essential measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Close contact with an infected individual warrants a 14-day quarantine, while those infected should self-isolate to protect others. The CDC's close contact definition has evolved, but experts stress the importance of comprehensive measures to effectively manage the pandemic.
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Transmission
COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The virus spreads when an infected person breathes out droplets and very small particles that contain the virus. Other people can then breathe in these droplets, or the droplets can land on others' eyes, nose, or mouth. These droplets may also contaminate surfaces.
Close contact with someone who has COVID-19 constitutes exposure to the virus. Close contact is generally defined as being within six feet of someone who is showing symptoms of COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes. This is true even if the infected person shows no symptoms but later tests positive for COVID-19. However, the definition of close contact has been a subject of debate, with some governments narrowing the definition to only include those who have spent four hours or more in a household setting with a confirmed positive case.
If you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, it is recommended that you quarantine yourself for two weeks. This means staying at home and away from other people for 14 days after the date of exposure, while monitoring yourself for fever and other signs of infection. During this time, it is important to wear a mask, practice social distancing, and wash your hands frequently, even if you do not show any symptoms.
Contact tracing is a method used by public health officials to identify situations where an infected person is transmitting the virus, so that those who have been exposed can be notified and take appropriate measures to prevent further spread.
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Contact tracing
Once close contacts have been identified, health officials will contact them and ask them to quarantine themselves for 14 days after the date of exposure. During this time, they should monitor themselves for fever and other signs of infection, wear a mask, practice social distancing, and wash their hands frequently. If possible, they should sleep in a separate room, avoid sharing food, frequently disinfect surfaces, and avoid close contact with other household members.
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High-risk settings
Close contact with someone who has COVID-19 constitutes exposure to the virus. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines "close contact" as someone who was within six feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes. This definition has been updated to include a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period, starting from two days before the infected person's symptoms onset or, for asymptomatic patients, two days prior to their test.
However, health experts have criticised narrowed definitions of "close contact" during periods of high COVID-19 case numbers. For example, in Australia, the definition was changed to only include those who had spent four hours or more in a household setting with a confirmed positive case. This was done to reduce pressure on testing clinics, but experts argued that this risked overwhelming the healthcare system and did not account for high-risk work settings.
Additionally, certain high-risk behaviours can increase the likelihood of exposure, such as physical contact with an infected person (especially hugging or kissing), sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses, and being in the presence of an infected person who sneezes or coughs.
In high-risk settings, such as healthcare facilities, it can be challenging to conduct effective contact tracing due to the large number of people coming and going. In these cases, it is recommended that employers ask infected employees to identify close contacts and review surveillance footage to help gauge interactions accurately.
Overall, it is important to recognise that COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease that can spread quickly, especially in confined spaces. Therefore, it is crucial to take preventative measures, such as social distancing, wearing masks, and frequent handwashing, to reduce the risk of exposure and transmission in high-risk settings.
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Frequently asked questions
Close contact is defined as being within six feet of someone who has COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes. This is considered close contact regardless of whether either party was wearing a mask.
If you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, you should quarantine yourself for 14 days from the date of exposure. During this time, monitor yourself for fever and other signs of infection. If possible, sleep in a separate room from others and avoid sharing food and personal items.
The risk of COVID-19 exposure is higher in indoor settings due to the confined space and poor air circulation. However, it is important to maintain a distance of at least six feet from others, even when outdoors.
