As states begin to relax some guidelines for social-distancing, people who have been infected (whether known or suspected) and recovered from COVID-19 need to be sure they won’t spread the virus. The US Center For Disease Control and Prevention has shared a updated guideline on people who know or think they have been sick with coronavirus can leave quarantine.
At the time of this writing, the US has over 1.6 Million confirmed cases. The death toll from the virus is also nearing the dreaded 100,000 count, with 99,674 coronavirus-related deaths. (Source: John Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center)
SYMPTOMS OF CORONAVIRUS:
Presentation of coronavirus symptoms may vary from person to person. According to the CDC’s official list of symptoms of COVID-19 on its website, early sign may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus, which include: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
The CDC also urges people who suffer from emergency warning signs like trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, bluish lips or face to seek medical attention immediately.
However, the CDC notes that this isn’t all of the possible symptoms of the virus. And on the other end of the spectrum, there are people who have tested positive for coronavirus but have presented with very mild or no symptoms.
WHEN YOU CAN BE AROUND OTHERS:
The CDC has advised people who have been infected (or think they have been infected) to stay home and away from other people to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
In the updated guideline, the CDC notes that knowing when to end home isolation and start being around others depends on different factors for different situations
For those that have been sick with the coronavirus, they recommend waiting until it’s been 10 days since they first noticed symptoms, have seen symptoms improve and have gone at least three days with no fever.
Getting two consecutive negative results (taken at least 24 hours apart) will also help confirm if you can end self-isolation. “Depending on your healthcare provider’s advice and availability of testing, you might get tested to see if you still have COVID-19. If you will be tested, you can be around others when you have no fever, symptoms have improved, and you receive two negative test results in a row, at least 24 hours apart,” the CDC says.
Those that have not presented with symptoms but tested positive for COVID-19 can still infect others, and the CDC recommends waiting at least 10 days have passed since test before mingling with other people again.
However, this excludes people with weakened immune systems.
“People with conditions that weaken their immune system might need to stay home longer than 10 days,” the CDC said.
For those that have been exposed to coronavirus (i.e. have had close contact with someone with COVID-19) the CDC recommends staying home for 14 days after exposure – since it can take that long for symptoms to develop.
Take care and stay safe, everyone!
