Corona Virus

Guidelines on what to do if you have been in contact with or infected with COVID-19

You DO NOT need to REPEAT a test after 14 days ISOLATION or QUARANTINE to return to work

Employers should not ask employees for a negative test to confirm they can return to work

An employee can return to work after 14 days after quarantine

The test WILL BE NEGATIVE when you are in the WINDOW PERIOD

Your WINDOW PERIOD is 1-14 days if you have NO SYMPTOMS.

Going for a test in the WINDOW PERIOD is of no value (NEGATIVE result CANNOT BE TRUSTED)

ONLY go for a test if you have SYMPTOMS.

POSITIVE TEST= 100% reliable

NEGATIVE TEST= 0-70% reliable

False negatives are possible and common. We cannot use a negative test to say you are

not infected.

If you are SICK, STAY home.

You were NOT in CLOSE CONTACT if:

You have not had close contact with a positive person

You are a contact of contact (you are not personally the close contact)

You wore full PPE and did not spend a prolonged period in a closed space

You do NOT need to quarantine

What is CLOSE CONTACT with a POSITIVE person:

Being face-to-face (<1m)

Being in a small room or car/taxi or 15min Living in the same house or sharing the same kitchen and utensils

Kissing, touching, holding hands or hugging

Someone coughing on you

POSITIVE TEST = 100% reliable

NEGATIVE TEST= 0-70% reliable

False negatives are possible and common. We cannot use a negative test to say you are not infected.

If you are SICK. STAY home.

What is CLOSE CONTACT with a POSITIVE person:

Being face-to-face (<1m)

Being in a small room or car/taxi or 15min Living in the same house or sharing the same kitchen and utensils, kissing, touching, holding hands or hugging someone coughing on you.

QUARANTINE is for people who are NOT SICK but were in CLOSE CONTACT

So no going out, no visitors and no test 14 days from the LAST CONTACT.

This is the window period. You might be infected. A negative test does not change this, 14 days for

everyone.

If you get symptoms, you start self-isolation (new14 days}.

NO EXCEPTIONS.

SELF-ISOLATION is for SICK people

This is if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and need to stay away from others.

You are contagious. Wear a mask at home, clean surfaces regularly, stay in a ventilated room.

Stay alone. No going out. No visitors. 14 days from the start of symptoms (not from the test).

NO EXCEPTIONS.

If you were in CLOSE CONTACT or you are SYMPTOMATIC stay home

No test needed for this.

It will not change anything.

14 days.

Simple.

We will all be exposed to COVID-19 in the next few months:

Stay alert: the more contact we have, the sooner we will be exposed

Stay healthy: keep your other medical conditions under control

Stay calm: more than 85% of people only have mild illness.

You are NOT a CLOSE CONTACT if:

You have not had close contact with a positive person

You are a contact of contact (you are not personally the close contact)

You wore full PPE and did not spend a prolonged period in a closed space

You do NOT need to quarantine.

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Prevention

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
- CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
- Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

For information about handwashing, see CDC’s Handwashing websiteFor information specific to healthcare, see CDC’s Hand Hygiene in Healthcare SettingsThese are everyday habits that can help prevent the spread of several viruses. CDC does have specific guidance for travelers.

Treatment

There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for COVID-19. People with COVID-19 should receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms. For severe cases, treatment should include care to support vital organ functions.People who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider immediately.See Interim Guidance for Healthcare Professionals for information on persons under investigation.