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SOCIAL DISTANCING, MONITORING, QUARANTINE OR ISOLATION? (COVID-19)

ALL ARE USED TO CONTROL THE SPREAD OF COVID-19. HOW DO THEY DIFFER AND HOW LONG DO THEY LAST?

WHO Everyone
No symptoms but potential casual contact (gathering, class, etc.) with someone who tested positive for COVID-19		 Exposure.
No symptoms but had close contact** with someone who tested positive for COVID-19		 Symptoms.
Has symptoms* of COVID-19 (regardless of exposure or single test result)
WHAT Social distance.
Stay at least 6 feet from others. Minimize travel (or stay home as much as possible). Self-monitor. Check for fever or respiratory symptoms		 Self-quarantine.
Stay home and limit interactions with others. Self-monitor. Check for fever or respiratory symptoms. How to self-quarantine (pdf).		 Self-isolate.
Do not leave home. Avoid others in your residence. Disinfect surfaces regularly. Monitor for symptoms that may require hospitalization.***
FOR HOW LONG? Until the pandemic ends Until 14 days after exposure At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared AND at least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medications AND symptoms have improved.
WHO Everyone
No symptoms but potential casual contact (gathering, class, etc.) with someone who tested positive for COVID-19
WHAT Social distance.
Stay at least 6 feet from others. Minimize travel (or stay home as much as possible). Self-monitor. Check for fever or respiratory symptoms
FOR HOW LONG? Until the pandemic ends
WHO Exposure.
No symptoms but had close contact** with someone who tested positive for COVID-19
WHAT Self-quarantine.
Stay home and limit interactions with others. Self-monitor. Check for fever or respiratory symptoms.
FOR HOW LONG? Until 14 days after exposure
WHO Symptoms.
Has symptoms* of COVID-19 (regardless of exposure or single test result)
WHAT Self-isolate.
Do not leave home. Avoid others in your residence. Disinfect surfaces regularly. Monitor for symptoms that may require hospitalization.***
FOR HOW LONG? At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared AND at least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medications AND symptoms have improved.

DEFINITIONS:

*Symptoms of COVID-19:
Range from mild to severe and may include fever (≥ 100.0°F) or chills, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle/body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.

**Close Contact:
being within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated

***Symptoms that Suggest COVID-19 Worsening, Call Your Doctor or Go to ER:
shortness of breath at rest, chest pain, persistently high fever despite fever lowering medicine, confusion, lightheadedness, inability to eat or drink

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Social Distance: Social distancing is a conscious effort to maintain distance between yourself and other people as a way to mitigate the spread of disease. This means avoiding public gatherings, bars, restaurants or other events, even if you are symptom free. Stay at least 6 feet from other people as often as possible. Take precautions if you cannot maintain that distance, such as using alcohol-based hand sanitizer and/or hand washing immediately after contact. Consider using curbside pick-up or delivery for essential items.

Self-monitor: People should monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 by taking their temperatures twice a day and remaining alert for cough or difficulty breathing. If they feel feverish or develop measured fever, cough, or difficulty breathing during the self-monitoring period, they should self-isolate, limit contact with others and seek advice by telephone from a healthcare provider to determine whether medical evaluation is needed.

Self-quarantine: Separates people who were exposed but do not have symptoms to see if they become symptomatic. A person can be contagious before symptoms begin, so this is critical to prevent the spread. Find additional information on how to self-quarantine (pdf).

Self-isolation: Separates people with symptoms of COVID-19, with or without a positive test. Stay home and away from others who share your residence to prevent the spread of the virus.

Note: Testing guidance is based on limited information and is subject to change as more information becomes available.




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