(Audubon) Audubon County Public Health is receiving numerous questions if tested positive for COVID-19 or exposed to a positive COVID-19 case and then being considered a Contact Trace.
Audubon County Public Health Director Bob Nelson says lists the steps needed following isolation guidance for sick and/or COVID-19 positive members of the general public:
He says persons with symptoms of COVID-19 should self-isolate (this includes persons who test positive and persons who are not tested) until after these three things have happened:
They have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fever). Their other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath has improved); and at least 10 days have passed since their symptoms first appeared.
Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 who test negative AND who are NOT in close contact of a person who tested positive for COVID-19 can go back to daily activities 24 hours after their fever and other symptoms resolve. Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 who are tested and test negative AND who ARE in close contact of a person who tested positive for COVID-19 should continue to self-quarantine until 14 days after their last exposure to the confirmed case.
Persons who test positive for COVID-19 but do not experience symptoms should self-isolate; at least 10 days have passed since the date of the first positive test. Continue to have no symptoms (no cough or shortness of breath) since the test.
After an Iowan tests positive for COVID-19, they are questioned and advised about quarantining habits and whether they came within 6 feet of anyone else for 15 or more minutes during the infectious period. The infectious period is defined as; a person that tested positive but is asymptomatic, the infectious period is 48 hours before through 10 days after the first date the person tested positive for COVID-19. Infectious period for symptomatic cases is defined as 48 hours before illness started until the patient is fever free for at least 72 hours and other symptoms have improved AND at least 10 days have passed since the first symptoms began.
If a person meets the requirements of a Contact Trace they will be notified of the exposure to a positive COVID-19 case and will be asked to; Self-quarantine for 14 days, and recommended (not required) they be tested for COVID-19 infection (testing should not occur before 48 hours after their earliest exposure to the positive COVID-19 case as the virus may not be detectable at this point). If tested and the results are negative you still must self-quarantine for the full 14 days as a person can develop the virus up to 14 days after the last exposure!
For example; if you test negative 6 days after exposure you can still become COVID19 positive for an additional 8 days. The best advice is to monitor themselves for signs/symptoms of COVID-19 and notify their health care provider as necessary.
According to the CDC, COVID-19 symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19; such as a Cough, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or at least two of these symptoms; Fever ,Chills, or epeated shaking with chills, Muscle pain, Headache, sore throat ,new loss of taste or smell, should continue to take precautions to avoid COVID-19.
Many expect that COVID-19 cases will continue to rise especially as we near the July 4th holiday and this coming fall. Stay home if you are ill (monitor your health), cover coughs and sneezes, stay at least 6 feet from others, wash your hands frequently or use an appropriate hand sanitizer, and wear a mask.
