What to do if family or household member is exposed to COVID-19

The Barton County Health Department has posted the following guidelines in case a family or household member has been exposed to a person who currently has COVID-19.

Please quarantine at home for 14 days after the exposure date per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines below. If at the end of the 14-day quarantine, you have not developed any of the symptoms listed below and/or have not tested positive for COVID-19, quarantine will be completed.

CDC Guidelines for Close Contacts of Positive COVID-19 Case:

Essential Employees: If you are an essential employee, you may work if you do not have a fever or any of the symptoms listed below, wear a face covering the entire time you are at work, only go straight to work and straight home and it is okay with your employer to work after exposure to a positive COVID-19 case. Check with your employer to see if employees may return to work after exposure to a positive case. Temperature Monitoring – Take temperature(s) twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening. Stay home except to get medical care. Call the healthcare provider (HCP) before going. Tell him/her you have been exposed to a positive COVID-19 case and about any symptoms you are having.

The HCP will instruct you on what you need to do to receive medical care. If you need to call emergency services for any reason, tell the dispatcher you have been exposed to a positive COVID-19 case and about any symptoms you are having, if any.

Distance yourself at least six feet from others if possible, especially people 65 years or older or those who have chronic health conditions. If you must be closer than six feet, ensure the area is well ventilated, wear a face covering, avoid physical contact if possible. Don’t allow other people in your home unless absolutely necessary. Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds at a time (family members too!). Use a separate bathroom if available. If not available, clean the bathroom surfaces you touched after each use. Sleep in a separate bedroom if possible. If not possible, sleep facing away from others in the room. Hang a divider between you and others in the room such as a sheet or curtain. Ensure the area is well ventilated.

Monitor for the following symptoms: Fever above 100.4 oF or feeling feverish; chills; rigors; muscle aches; runny nose; sore throat; new changes in taste or smell; headache; fatigue; cough - new or worsening of chronic cough; wheezing; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; chest pain; nausea or vomiting; abdominal pain; diarrhea (more than three loose stools/24 hr. period) and other symptoms that concern you.

Testing for COVID-19 is recommended if symptoms develop after a known exposure to a positive case. If symptoms develop, contact your healthcare provider and tell him/her when you were exposed and the symptoms you are having. They will tell you what you will need to do to be tested. Please wear a face covering when going to your HCP or ER.

If you have any of the following signs, get emergency medical care immediately: Bluish lips or face; severe and constant pain or pressure in the chest; extreme difficulty breathing (such as gasping for air, being unable to talk without catching their breath, severe wheezing, nostrils flaring); new disorientation (acting confused); unconscious or very difficult to wake up; slurred speech or difficulty speaking (new or worsening); new or worsening seizures; signs of low blood pressure (too weak to stand, dizziness, lightheaded, feeling cold, pale, clammy skin); dehydration (dry lips and mouth, not urinating much, sunken eyes).

The Barton County Health Department reminds everyone that this list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.