COVID-19 FAQ

When is the coronavirus disease most contagious?

Researchers estimate that people infected with the coronavirus can spread it to others 2 to 3 days before symptoms begin, and are most contagious 1 to 2 days before they feel sick.

How soon after exposure do symptoms of COVID-19 appear?

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

How long can you remain infectious after testing positive for COVID-19?

If someone is asymptomatic or their symptoms disappear, it is possible to remain infectious for at least 10 days after testing positive for COVID-19. People hospitalized with serious illness and people with weakened immune systems can be contagious for 20 days or more.

What is the incubation period for COVID-19?

According to the available literature, the incubation period (time from exposure to onset of symptoms) for SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses (eg, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV) is 2-14 days.

How long do you need to stay at home after being in close contact with someone with COVID-19?

Anyone who has been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 should stay home for 14 days after the last contact with that person.

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If I test positive for COVID-19 but have no symptoms, when can I be with other people?

If you still have no symptoms, you can be with other people 10 days after you test positive for COVID-19.

Can children still go to school if a parent tests positive for COVID-19?

If you or anyone in your household tests positive, your child should follow the school’s isolation guidance. If your child also tests positive, they should not go to school even if they are not showing symptoms. They should follow the school’s quarantine guidance.

When can I be with other people after having mild or moderate COVID-19?

You can be with other people when:
• 10 days after symptoms first appeared, and.
• No fever for 24 hours and no fever reducers.
• Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving*

How long does it take for symptoms to appear?

Symptoms may appear 2 days to 2 weeks after exposure. A pooled analysis of 181 confirmed cases of COVID-19 outside of Wuhan, China, found that the average incubation period was 5.1 days, and 97.5% of those who developed symptoms occurred within 11.5 days of infection.

What are some common symptoms of COVID-19 disease?

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

What should you do if you have someone with COVID-19 around you?

For anyone who has been in contact with someone with COVID-19

Anyone who has been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 should stay home for 14 days after the last contact with that person.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when should you start and end your quarantine, as recommended by the CDC?

You should stay home for 14 days after your last contact with someone with COVID-19.

How long should a child stay home after testing positive for COVID-19?

If your child tests positive, they should still stay home and away from others for 10 days from the day they developed symptoms. This is because people can spread COVID-19 for up to 10 days after they develop symptoms, even if they feel better.

When can I return to school after testing positive for COVID-19?

Sick students can return to school and end their isolation once the following conditions are met:

– 10 days after symptoms began, and

– 24 hours without fever, no need to take antipyretics, and

– Symptoms improved.

If my child has symptoms of COVID-19, can they still go to day care?

The best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to prevent the virus from entering your child care program in the first place. It is important to communicate daily with parents, guardians or caregivers to monitor their children for signs of infectious diseases, including COVID-19. Children with symptoms of any infectious disease or COVID-19 should not be in your child care program. The length of time a child should be out of day care depends on whether the child has COVID-19 or other illnesses.

Can a recovered person who tests persistently positive for COVID-19 infect others?

In some cases, people who have consistently or repeatedly tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA have improved signs and symptoms of COVID-19. When virus isolation in tissue culture was attempted in these individuals in Korea and the United States, no live virus has been isolated. To date, there is no evidence that clinically recovered individuals with persistent or repeated detection of viral RNA have transmitted SARS-CoV-2 to others.

Despite these observations, it is impossible to conclude that all individuals with persistent or repeated detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA are no longer infectious. There is no conclusive evidence that antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 infection are protective. If these antibodies are protective, it is unclear how much antibody levels are needed to prevent reinfection.

Can you get COVID-19 from someone without symptoms?

Both the flu virus and the virus that causes COVID-19 can spread to others before people start showing symptoms; people with very mild symptoms; and people who never develop symptoms (people who are asymptomatic).

When should employees with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 return to work?

Employees should not return to work until they meet the criteria to cease home isolation and consult a healthcare provider. Employers should not require sick employees to provide negative COVID-19 test results or instructions from healthcare providers in order to return to work.

Who is considered a close contact of someone with COVID-19?

For COVID-19, a close contact is anyone who has been within 6 feet of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes or more in a 24-hour period (eg, three separate 5-minute contacts for a total of 15 minutes). Start spreading COVID-19 2 days before any symptoms (or, if they have no symptoms, 2 days before collecting a positive sample) until they meet the criteria to stop home isolation.

Who should be tested for COVID-19 after exposure?

Most had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more in 24 hours) of someone with confirmed COVID-19.

Should I quarantine if I have been in contact with someone with COVID-19?

Anyone who has been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 should stay home for 14 days after the last contact with that person.

What medicines can I take to reduce symptoms of COVID-19?

Acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve) can all be used to relieve pain from COVID-19 when taken in recommended doses and approved by your doctor.

What are the treatments for mild COVID-19 illness?

Most people infected with COVID-19 will only develop mild illness and recover at home. Symptoms may last for a few days, and people with the virus may feel better after about a week. Treatment aims to relieve symptoms and includes rest, fluid intake, and pain medication.

Do I need to quarantine after testing negative for the new coronavirus?

You should stay home for 14 days after your last contact with someone with COVID-19.

If I am fully vaccinated, should I be tested after close contact with someone with COVID-19?

• If you have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, you should get tested 3-5 days after exposure, even if you are asymptomatic. You should also wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days after exposure or until your test result is negative.