Debbie Kulick: COVID-19, 'close contacts', and more

Debbie Kulick
Something to think about

Time to give an update on what’s what as we are all surrounded by COVID-19 information swirling around us every day. EMS (Emergency Medical Services) providers have become a vital part of the medical community and an integral part of the education of the public during this pandemic. With this in mind, I’ll share the most recent information providers will be explaining to many patients and their families in the coming weeks. 

First, there will be the instructions for patients waiting for COVID-19 test results. 

Debbie Kulick

Individuals will be told to self-isolate at home, compose a list of close contacts, it the patient lives with others they should self-isolate in a private room with their own bathroom if possible and if symptoms get worse, call their healthcare provider or 9-1-1.

Perhaps one of the most frequently asked questions is: "What is close contact?”  

Currently, a “close contact” is defined as being within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more from the period 48 hours before symptom onset to the time at which the patient went into isolation. (There are some exceptions as noted in a Department of Health Bulletin PA-HAN-533.) 

What if your test results are positive? Then continue to self-isolate, monitor your symptoms, notify any close contacts (including your workplace) and ask them to self-quarantine as well. Under the current CDC symptom-based (Center of Disease Control) guidelines, a patient with COVID-19 should self-isolate until at least 10 days after symptom onset, and symptoms are improving— including being without a fever for 24 hours without having taken anything to reduce the fever. 

Here are the instructions for those identified as close contacts of a patient diagnosed with COVID-19: Meet the definition of a close contact (see above), depending upon the exposure form the 48 hours before symptom onset and the patient self-isolated. The individual should self-quarantine for 14 days from the last known contact with the patient. Household contacts who cannot self-quarantine from the patient need to self-quarantine for 14 days after the patient’s infectious period ends, which may be a minimum of 24 days after the positive identification. 

Additionally, the DOH recommends that anyone identified as a close contact be tested at least 2-3 days after exposure. A negative test result does not allow a close contact to be released from quarantine early. 

Because infection can develop up to 14 days after exposure, close contacts with a negative test result must still quarantine for the full 14 days. If a close contact develops symptoms during those 14 days, they should be re-tested by a healthcare provider. At that point, follow the instructions for a patient waiting for test results. If, however, you were tested but had no known exposure to a confirmed case and you do not have any symptoms, you can stop your self-quarantine. 

If you were tested but had no known exposure to a confirmed case and you are symptomatic, you may have another respiratory pathogen that is circulating in the community. At that point, avoid work and group settings until three days after your respiratory symptoms and a fever. 

Just a quick reminder, here are the symptoms of COVID-19: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea.  

The CDC updates the list as new symptoms are noted, but these are the most common. Remember that effective mask wearing means cover your mouth AND nose. Continue to wash your hands or sanitize them and observe social distancing.   

The vaccine is on the horizon, but the efforts we take now will help slow the spread and save lives every day. The old saying applies, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”