What to do if you have COVID-19; or have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 FAQs – 08/05/2021

Key Definitions

  • Close contact: is defined as someone who was within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more within 48 hours prior to illness onset of a positive person, regardless of whether the contact was wearing a mask. OR you had direct physical contact (handshake, hug, kiss etc), OR you shared eating or drinking utensil.
    • Per newest guidelines, someone in the school setting who is 3 feet apart and wearing a mask is NOT considered a close No quarantine is required if no symptoms or a negative test.
  • Fully vaccinated: is defined as someone who is >2 weeks past 2nd COVID vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna). OR
  • >2 weeks past single dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson).
  • Symptoms of COVID-19: common symptoms are like that of a common cold/allergies for some. This includes: Sore throat, runny nose/congestion, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, fever, cough, difficulty breathing, and nausea/vomiting/diarrhea. These symptoms will NOT all be present, and people may only have a combination of 1-3 of the above symptoms.

I am feeling sick what should I do?

  • Quarantine immediately from the public and others in your household by isolating in a separate bedroom if possible. Seek COVID-19 testing. With the amount of COVID-19 spread we are currently seeing in our community, please assume you have COVID-19 until test results can be

Where can I get tested?

I tested positive; what should I do?

  • If you test positive for COVID-19, continue to isolate in your home away from other If you live with others, please continue to isolate in a separate room. Isolate for 10 days from when you began having symptoms. If you do not have symptoms, isolate for 10 days from your positive test date. If on that 10th day you have been fever free and overall have an improvement in symptoms, you may return to normal activities on day 11. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/quarantine.html
  • Self-notify the individuals you were in “close contact” with 48 hours prior to symptom onset that you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and instruct them to quarantine.

I tested positive with an over the counter at home test; what should I do?

I tested negative and do have symptoms; what should I do?

  • If you have a negative rapid antigen test, please seek out additional testing with a PCR. PCR testing is the “gold standard” of COVID tests. If your PCR is negative and you had close contact to a positive case, please quarantine for 14 days from last close contact to positive person OR contact [email protected] if you need further

I tested negative and don’t have symptoms; what should I do?

  • If you had known close contact to someone with COVID-19, quarantine for 10 days from last close contact, and monitor for symptoms for 14 Seek testing if you develop symptoms. You will not develop symptoms right away after exposure, and may not develop symptoms until 14 days after exposure. People with COVID-19 are contagious to others 48 hours prior to feeling sick. That is why it is so important to quarantine as soon as learning you encountered someone who has COVID-19.

I am not having symptoms of COVID-19; but have had close contact to someone with COVID-19. What should I do?

  • Quarantine for 10 days from last close contact to positive person. If symptoms develop, seek People with COVID-19 are contagious to others 48 hours prior to feeling sick. That is why it is so important to quarantine as soon as learning you encountered someone who has COVID-19.

I came in contact with someone who has COVID-19 but I am fully vaccinated; what should I do?

  • If you are having symptoms, please quarantine and obtain
  • If you are not having symptoms, please self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days after exposure. Per CDC guidelines you do not need to quarantine if you are fully vaccinated and not having Do not disregard possible symptoms of COVID-19 even if you are fully vaccinated. The nation is seeing an increase in those fully vaccinated who are becoming ill with COVID.

Do I need a negative test prior to returning to work?

  • Contact your employer. However, CDC recommends people not retest after already having a positive test as it may continue to be positive for up to 3 months. As long as positive person has isolated for 10 days, been fever free for 24 hours, and overall has an improvement in symptoms, they are considered “no longer contagious” by CDC guidelines and do not need additional https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/duration-isolation.html

Can I “test out” of quarantine early?

  • If you are positive, please remain isolated for 10 days, if on day 11 you have been fever-free for 24 hours (without fever reducing medications) and have an overall improvement in symptoms, you are no longer contagious according to CDC guidelines
  • If you are not having symptoms and have NOT tested positive you can test on day 6 after exposure with a PCR test only. If negative, you can return to normal activities on day 8 as long as no symptoms and you are continuing to follow distancing, and other mitigation strategies (masks, and hand washing).

What happens if I decide not to isolate/quarantine?

  • Please realize you will be exposing not only friends/ and co-workers, but also their Please quarantine to cut off the transmission of COVID-19.

Who should I contact if I have general questions on isolation/quarantine guidelines?

  • Anyone with general questions should call the Florida Department of Health’s COVID-19 call center available 24/7 at 866-779-6121 or [email protected].

Is Monroe County Health Department still doing contact tracing?

  • However, due to the increase in positive people, we have had to prioritize those we are calling for contact tracing interviews.

I have concerns about a COVID-19 outbreak in my community at a specific location, who do I contact?

  • Please email [email protected] with as many details of the situation as possible and we will follow up with you via

I tested positive and my employer is requiring a “clearance to work” letter, who should I contact?

  • Please email [email protected] with your full name and phone number, and someone will follow-up. DOH Monroe does not supply release letters until day 10 of isolation, we will not pre-date release letters for

I work in (healthcare, critical infrastructure worker, live or work in a congregate living setting, or work at a location that has multiple positive employees) who should I contact?

  • Please email [email protected] with as many details of the situation as possible and we will follow up with you via

Are we in an area of high transmission?

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