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I feel sick but I don’t have a sore throat or cough. Should I worry that I may have COVID? 

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are sore throat, cough, fever and body aches and pains. But many people are also experiencing stomach pain, diarrhea or even headaches. If you are feeling sick – get tested.

I don’t feel sick at all but I had contact with someone who is positive, should I get tested?

Not yet. The incubation period for the COVID-19 virus is 2 to 14 days after infection. So you may be testing too early to get an accurate result. Instead you need to quarantine. Stay home for 14 days from the day of contact. If during that time you start to experience symptoms call your doctors office and ask whether or not you should come in to get tested. If they say yes, ask them what their policy is so that you don’t sit in the waiting room and potentially infect others.

How close do I have to be to someone to have had “direct contact” with them”

The CDC says that direct contact means one of the following:

• You were within 6 feet of someone for 15 minutes or more 
• You provided care to someone who is sick with COVID-19
• You had direct physical contact with someone (e.g., giving them a hug or shaking their hand)
• You shared eating or drinking utensils
• They sneezed or coughed right in front of you

How long do I have to stay home if I’m positive for COVID-19? 

You need to isolate and stay home for 10 days since the first symptoms appeared and at least 24 hours have passed since your fever ended (without medication) and symptoms have improved. When you isolate you need to do your best to stay apart from other people in your house. If possible, stay in one room of your house, eat your meals there and use a separate bathroom and towels. Since you are positive, the people in your house should now quarantine in case they caught it from you.

It is not realistic to isolate a person in my house with my children and me and my husband. I can’t give them their own bedroom and bathroom. What should I do?  

The positive family member should do their best to distance 6 feet and wear a mask. Other people should also wear a mask when in the same room. If the person is old enough consider if it’s a possibility to ask a close relative that has an empty basement apartment if they can isolate there. Every family situation will be different but the key is to do the best you can.

One of my family members is positive but doesn’t have any symptoms. How many days do I have to quarantine? 

14 days from your last direct contact.  

I have antibodies. If I had direct contact with someone positive do I need to quarantine? 

At this time the number of proven reinfections are small. We don’t know however at what point that will change. Ask your doctor for further guidance.

I’ve been hearing that all of the recent cases are completely asymptomatic (without symptoms) or very mild. So why should I worry about spreading it? 

Great question! The vast majority of people in our community who have tested positive recently have been towards the younger side and without significant health issues. People who are elderly or have underlying conditions are still very much at risk. In fact, there are currently cases of hospitalizations in other communities. The bottom line is  - the disease is the same and could be just as deadly as before if passed to someone more vulnerable. Are you willing to risk passing it to the wrong person?

So what can I do to stop the spread? 

Wearing a mask and social distancing when around others are the best ways you can keep the virus from spreading. Certainly, if you know you have it or have known contact with someone who does, take the steps above to stop further spread. If you’re over age 65 or have health issues protect yourself! Wear a mask when around others and stay apart from other people even when outdoors. Don’t take unnecessary risks.