Although your individual risk of complications from COVID-19
may be low, you may pass the virus along to others, including your family
members, friends, neighbors and coworkers.
Some of these people will be at greater risk of serious complications,
including death. How can we help to
minimize the threat in our communities?
Self-isolation and self-quarantine are public health measures used to
slow the spread of contagious diseases.
You may ask what the difference is between self-isolation and
self-quarantine, and what are the guidelines for each.
Self-isolation separates sick people with a contagious
disease from people who are not sick. If
you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms, stay home. Do not go
shopping, run errands, go out to eat, or gather with other people. Rest
and drink plenty of fluids. Stay in a specific room away from other
people and pets in your home. If
available, use a separate bathroom. If
you need to be around other people in the home or when going to the doctor,
wear a cloth face covering and try to stay at least 6 feet away from people. Monitor
your symptoms, including your fever daily.
Cover coughs and sneezes. Everyone in the house should wash hands often, for 20 seconds with
soap and water. Don’t share dishes, drinking glasses, eating utensils, towels, or
bedding with other people in the home.
Wash these items after use. Have
someone clean frequently touched surfaces (phones, remotes,
doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, keyboards, tablets, tables, counters) in
the house throughout the day. If a
bathroom cannot be dedicated to you, surfaces should be cleaned after use. If someone else needs to clean the bathroom
for you, they should wear a cloth face mask and wait as long as possible before
the next person needs to use the bathroom to clean. Most people have mild illness and can recover
at home. If your symptoms are getting worse, call ahead to your doctor before
going to the office for care. If you are
having trouble breathing or other concerning symptoms, call 911 for immediate
help.
You can stop self-isolation when you have had no fever for
at least 72 hours (three full days of no fever without the use of medicine that
reduces fevers) AND other symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath have
improved AND at least 10 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared. COVID-19 is a reportable disease to the Iowa
Department of Public Health. If you
tested positive Public Health will call you to complete a required
investigation of your illness and determine if anyone else was exposed and
needs to self-quarantine. Public Health
completes a follow-up phone call 10 days after your symptoms started to
determine if you can be released from self-isolation.
Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people
who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick. For exposure to COVID-19 this period starts
with the day of exposure and continues for 14 days from the last day
exposed. Currently, exposure is defined
by the CDC as being within 6 feet of a contagious person for more than 30
minutes. Self-quarantine includes
staying at home and at least 6 feet away from other people and animals. Follow all of the other guidelines as for
self-isolation. You may be contagious 48
hours before you have symptoms. If you
are required to go to work, wear a face mask.
Go home immediately if you do not feel well. Call your doctor’s office for further
directions. More information on what to
do if you are sick can be found at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
