When is a COVID-19 case investigation initiated?

COVID-19 case investigations are typically initiated when a health department receives a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result report from a laboratory or a patient's confirmed or probable diagnosis of COVID-19 from a healthcare provider.

How soon should contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case be notified?

A close contact to a patient with confirmed or probable COVID-19 should be notified of their exposure as soon as possible (within 24 hours of contact elicitation). The patient may elect to notify some or all of their close contacts before the contact tracer.

The identity of the patient or other identifying information will not be revealed, alluded to, or confirmed by the contact tracer, even if explicitly asked by a contact.

What is contact tracing in the context of COVID-19?

Scientists and public health workers are also working to stop the spread of COVID-19 through contact tracing. In this strategy, public health workers talk to people with COVID-19 to learn about all the people they were physically close to while they were potentially able to spread the disease.

What should I do if I've been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 if my vaccine is not up-to-date?

Stay home and quarantine for at least 5 full days. Wear a well-fitted mask if you must be around others in your home. Do not travel. Even if you don't develop symptoms, get tested at least 5 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.

How long is the incubation period for COVID-19?

- The incubation period for COVID-19. Given that the incubation period can be up to 14 days, CDC recommends conducting screening testing at least weekly.

What are the symptoms of the COVID-19?

Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus.

Common symptoms may include: fever or chills; cough; shortness of breath; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; diarrhea.

How long are you contagious after being sick with COVID-19?

Most people with COVID-19 are no longer contagious 5 days after they first have symptoms and have been fever-free for at least three days.

Do I have to quarantine if I have been exposed to COVID-19?

If you come into close contact with someone with COVID-19, you should quarantine if you are not up to date on COVID-19 vaccines. This includes people who are not vaccinated.

How long does it take for antibodies to develop after exposure to COVID-19?

It can take days to weeks after an infection for your body to make antibodies.

How soon after exposure should I get tested for COVID-19 if vaccinated?

Get tested 3-5 days after their first exposure. A person with COVID-19 is considered infectious starting 2 days before they develop symptoms, or 2 days before the date of their positive test if they do not have symptoms.

What is contact tracing?

Contact tracing is part of the process of supporting patients and warning contacts of exposure in order to stop chains of transmission.

Why is contact tracing important during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Contact Tracing Contact tracing is key to slowing the spread of COVID-19 and helps protect you, your family, and your community.

What does a contact tracer do?

Contact tracers need to quickly locate and talk with the patients, assist in arranging for patients to isolate themselves, and work with patients to identify people with whom the patients have been in close contact so the contact tracer can locate them.

What guidelines should close contacts follow during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Contacts are encouraged to stay home and maintain social distance from others (at least 6 feet) until 14 days after their last exposure, in case they also become ill. They should monitor themselves by checking their temperature twice daily and watching for cough or shortness of breath.

Should I inform my close contacts that I have COVID-19?

Tell your close contacts that they may have been exposed to COVID-19. An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting 48 hours (or 2 days) before the person has any symptoms or tests positive. By letting your close contacts know they may have been exposed to COVID-19, you are helping to protect everyone.

Can I have contacts with other people if I'm experiencing COVID-19 symptoms?

- If at all possible, you should avoid contact with other people (unless they live in the same home and had the same exposure as you), regularly wash your hands, and follow other measures outlined in the CDC guidance.

At what point after infection with COVID-19 will there be enough antibodies to be detected in an antibody test?

After infection with the COVID-19 virus, it can take two to three weeks to develop enough antibodies to be detected in an antibody test, so it's important that you're not tested too soon.

Antibodies may be detected in your blood for several months or more after you recover from COVID-19.

Is it possible to develop immunity to COVID-19 after being exposed?

In addition, the hope is that people who've been exposed to COVID-19 also develop an immunity to it. When you have immunity, your body can recognize and fight off the virus.

It's possible that people who've had COVID-19 can get sick again -- and maybe infect other people.

Do people produce COVID-19 antibodies after infection?

Most people who've recovered from COVID-19 do make antibodies against the virus.

When should I travel after having close contact with someone with COVID-19 and I am not fully vaccinated?

• Do not travel until a full 5 days after your last close contact with the person with COVID-19. It is best to avoid travel for a full 10 days after your last exposure.
• If you must travel during days 6 through 10 after your last exposure:

How long do I need to stay isolated if I test positive for COVID-19?

If you test positive, you should isolate for at least 5 days from the date of your positive test (if you do not have symptoms). If you do develop COVID-19 symptoms, isolate for at least 5 days from the date your symptoms began (the date the symptoms started is day 0).

Do I need to wear a mask and avoid close contact with others if I am vaccinated against COVID-19?

Generally, if you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations, you do not need to wear a mask in outdoor settings. Check your local COVID-19 Community Level for recommendations on when to wear a mask indoors and additional precautions you can take to protect yourself from COVID-19. If you are immunocompromised or more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, learn more about how to protect yourself.

How long after COVID-19 isolation should I wear a mask?

During the 10 days after infection, persons might be infectious to others and are recommended to wear a well-fitting mask when around others, and to avoid contact with those at elevated risk for severe disease, even if ending isolation after 5 days.

How long does isolation take after COVID-19 infection if you were severely ill or have a weakened immune system?

CDC recommends an isolation period of at least 10 and up to 20 days for people who were severely ill with COVID-19 and for people with weakened immune systems. Consult with your healthcare provider about when you can resume being around other people.

When should I take Paxlovid?

When should I take Paxlovid? You have to take Paxlovid within five days of developing symptoms.