Coronavirus (COVID-19): How to quarantine or isolate at home

 Coronavirus (COVID-19): How to quarantine or isolate at home

Coronavirus (COVID-19): How to quarantine or isolate at home

Sometimes people may need to stay home and away from others during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This is known as quarantining or isolating. A person should quarantine or isolate if they have a COVID-19 infection, have been in close contact with someone who is infected, or have returned from travel and are not yet fully vaccinated. Having your home ready could reduce stress in case your family needs to quarantine or remain isolated.

 

What does it mean to quarantine?

 

Quarantining means that someone who may have been exposed to the virus but has no symptoms, and is not yet fully vaccinated, has to stay home for 1-2 weeks.

 

What does it mean to isolate?

 

Isolation is where a person who has been infected with the virus and is contagious needs to stay in their home for 10 days after the onset of symptoms or after a positive COVID-19 test result.

 

How do you quarantine or isolate at home?

 

Someone in quarantine should stay home and away from other people until it is determined that they are not infected. You should watch for the onset of COVID-19 symptoms and do the following:

 

·        Stay a minimum of 6 feet (or 2 meters) away from people or pets living in your home (unless they are also quarantining for the same reason) when possible.

 

·        Wear a mask if you must be around other people and cannot maintain the minimum separation distance of 6 feet (2 meters). For more information on face masks, see guidance from the CDC.

 

·        Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, dispose of the tissue, and wash your hands immediately. Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

 

·        Wash hands thoroughly and frequently. Wash them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or hand sanitizer.

 

 

A person in isolation who has symptoms of COVID-19 or who has tested positive for COVID-19 should also:

 

·        Sleeping in a bedroom that only occupies her. If this is not possible, try to keep the maximum possible distance between the beds. If you have to share a bed, the mere fact of sleeping inverted (head to feet) can help avoid contagion.

 

·        Use a separate sink, if possible.

 

·        Use your own personal items (such as cups, towels, and toothpaste) and do not share them with anyone.

 

·        Eat separately from the rest of the family.

 

What can other family members do?

 

Even if the isolated person has no symptoms, all household members should do the following:

 

·        Quarantine if a household member has symptoms of COVID-19 or tests positive for the infection.

 

·        Wear a mask if they need to be in the same room as the person who is isolating or quarantining.

 

·        Make sure that all shared areas of the house have good ventilation. You can open a window or turn on an air filter or air conditioner.

 

·        Do not accept visitors into your home.

 

·        Wash hands thoroughly and frequently. Wash them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or hand sanitizer.

 

·        Other ways to reduce the risk of spreading the virus include:

 

·        When washing the clothes of the person who is in quarantine or isolation, do it with detergent and use the hottest temperature possible. So that the virus does not become airborne, avoid shaking or dusting clothes. Wear gloves if possible. Wash your hands thoroughly after washing clothes or putting them in the washing machine, even if you did so while wearing gloves.

 

·        Use a household cleaner or wipes daily to clean things that are touched a lot. This includes doorknobs, switches, frequently used toys, remote controls, toilet handles or flushes, countertops, and telephones.

 

Do other people living in the same house need to quarantine or isolate?

 

·        If a person is quarantined for symptoms, other household members do not need to quarantine or isolate unless the person in quarantine develops symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19.

 

·        If a person is in isolation because they have symptoms that could be due to a COVID-19 infection or have tested positive for COVID-19, everyone who lives with them should quarantine for 14 days after their isolation. Last direct contact with that person.

 

·        If the person who is caring for a person who is in isolation cannot maintain a distance of 6 feet (2 meters) from them, they must start a 14-day quarantine when the person they are caring for has already completed their 10 days of isolation.

 

·        People who are fully vaccinated do not need to quarantine after coming into contact with an infected person.

 

·        People who were infected with coronavirus 3 months before being in contact with the infected person, recovered, and no longer have symptoms, also do not need to quarantine.

 

For information on the latest updates, check your local health department or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

 

When should I call the doctor?

 

Call the doctor if a person who is quarantining or isolating develops new symptoms or seems to be feeling worse. The doctor will decide if:

 

·        can be treated at home

 

·        must attend in person for medical consultation

 

·        you should have a telehealth visit

 

 

Call 911 (911) right away if a person looks pretty sick, has severe symptoms, has trouble breathing, or is very sleepy.