What To Do If You Are A Close Contact

Page Last Updated 1/26/2022 at 10:45 am

Vaccination, masking, and testing remain our most effective tools at preventing COVID-19. This means missing less work, school and time with friends and family. It also means less strain on our healthcare systems and less time waiting for care in the ER or hospital.

I was exposed to someone with COVID-19. What should I do?

COVID-19 spreads mainly from person-to-person through respiratory droplets and aerosols. If you find out that you’ve been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, you may be at risk of infection. 

You are considered a close contact if any of the following occurred while you spent time with a person with COVID-19, even if they didn't have symptoms:

• You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more over the course of a day.
• You had direct physical contact with the person (handshake, hugged, or kissed them.)
• They sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you. 
• You live with the person or stayed overnight with the person.

Steps to take after Close Contact

You should quarantine if

• You are ages 12 or older and have completed your primary Pfizer or Moderna vaccine series over 5 months ago and have not yet received a recommended booster dose
• You received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine over 2 months ago and have not yet received a recommended booster dose
• You are not fully vaccinated (you are unvaccinated or it has been less than 14 days since you received the last dose in your primary vaccine series)
• You tested positive for COVID-19 more than 90 days ago with a viral test.

You do not need to quarantine if

• You are up to date on recommended COVID-19 vaccines (including boosters and additional primary doses for some immunocompromised people)
• You tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days using a viral test.

While you may not need to stay home, you should monitor for symptoms and wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days from your date of last exposure to someone with COVID-19. Get tested for COVID-19 at least 5 days after exposure (unless you've had a positive COVID-19 viral test result in the last 90 days). 

What should you do if you need to quarantine?

• Stay home and away from other people. Do not go to work or school while in quarantine.
• Wear a well-fitting mask if you must be around others during quarantine.
• Avoid travel or going to places where you are unable to wear a mask during your quarantine period.

Get tested for COVID-19

It’s important that you get tested so you can prevent spreading COVID-19 to others. It is recommended to get tested 5 days after your exposure, even if you are fully vaccinated and even if you do not have any symptoms. If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, get tested right away. There are several ways to get tested for COVID-19 in Sauk County-click here to see available testing options.

Answer the call from your health department

Your local health department might reach out to you with more recommendations if you are identified as a close contact during contact tracing.

Self-monitor for Symptoms

The incubation period for SAR-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can extend up to 14 days. That means you can develop symptoms of COVID-19 sometime in the 14 days after close contact with a person with COVID-19. It is recommended to monitor your health for 14 days after your last contact.

• Check your temperature twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. If you don't have a thermometer, watch for symptoms of fever like chills or sweats.
• Watch for cough, difficulty breathing, or other symptoms of COVID-19. Write down any symptoms you have and when they begin. 
• If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, isolate and get tested. Tell your doctor or health care provider your symptoms to determine if you need medical care. Do not go to a medical office or clinic without contacting them first and informing them that you are experiencing COVID-like symptoms.
   

What if Someone in my home is sick from COVID-19?

• See the CDC guidance, Caring for Someone Sick at Home.
• The sick person should be in their own room and should have their own bathroom, if possible. They should have the door closed, and food and other needs should be left outside their door for them to pick up.
• The CDC has additional guidance for how to clean and disinfect your home if someone is sick, including how to clean surfaces, linens, dishes, and trash.
• The CDC also has information about how to minimize risk if you live in a house with close quarters (e.g., small apartment with more than one person or a house with multiple generations).