Steps to Slow the Spread

Overview

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. To limit the spread of COVID-19, follow these steps if you have symptoms, if you test positive, or if you had close contact with someone who is sick. 

Adapted from Ian Mackay, The Swiss Cheese Infographic that Went Viral Dec 2020

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Arlington County Public Health is focusing its contact tracing efforts on high-risk populations and settings (workplaces, long-term care facilities, group homes, schools, childcare settings). To keep you and others safe, follow these steps to slow the spread even if you aren't contacted by the health department. These CDC recommendations are the minimum isolation recommendations and precautions for the general population. You may need to follow additional COVID-19 policies and guidance from County programs and facilities, employer, school, nursing home, and/or daycare settings.

If You Have Symptoms (Isolate)

These CDC recommendations are the minimum isolation recommendations and precautions for the general population. You may need to follow additional COVID-19 policies and guidance from County programs and facilities, employer, school, nursing home, and/or daycare settings.

People with these new or unusual symptoms may have 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
• Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms.

If you are unable to get tested immediately, you should assume you have COVID-19 or another respiratory illness.

Follow these additional steps:

• Watch for symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Stay in touch with your doctor.
  • Work with your doctor to see if you are eligible to receive COVID-19 treatment (antiviral pills or monoclonal antibody therapy) for your COVID-19 infection.
  • Call first if you need to see your doctor or urgent care.
  • Call 9-1-1 if you need help right away. For example, if you have trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure, confusion, or bluish lips or face.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched a lot at least daily. See the CDC’s guidance.
• Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth, especially when around other people.
• Make sure the room has good air flow, if you have to share space. Open the window to increase air circulation. Improving ventilation helps remove respiratory droplets from the air.

• Notify people you have had close contact with. This means within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. Tell them to wear a mask for 10 full days after last exposure and test on day 6, if possible. You may wish to share the guidance for “If You Had Close Contact with Someone Who Is Sick.”
  • If you have symptoms, you were able to spread COVID-19 starting two days before your symptoms began.
  • If you do not have symptoms, you were able to spread COVID-19 starting two days before you tested positive.
  • See the Virginia Department of Health’s COVID-19: How to Notify Your Contacts, for help identifying and talking to your close contacts.

• If you test positive for COVID-19, Arlington County Public Health may call you to ask about your symptoms, people you were with, and your activities.

To keep you and others safe, follow these steps to slow the spread even if you aren't contacted by the health department.

• After you recover, get vaccinated or boosted.

When to End Isolation

You should wait to end your isolation until at least 5 days after symptoms started and you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved.

• If your symptoms are improving or starting to go away after 5 days with no fever, you can leave your home while wearing a mask around others.
• Continue to isolate after day 5 if symptoms do not improve. Seek medical care for any new or worsening symptoms.
• Do not travel during your 5 or more-day isolation period. After you end isolation, wear a well-fitting mask when you are around others.
• Do not travel on public transportation such as airplanes, buses, and trains if you will not be able to wear a high-quality mask or respirator when around others indoors for the full duration of your trip.
• Contact your healthcare provider if you have questions.

• The CDC’s Isolation and Exposure Calculator can be used to calculate your isolation period and provide guidance based on your situation.

If You Test Positive (Isolate)

These CDC recommendations are the minimum isolation recommendations and precautions for the general population. You may need to follow additional COVID-19 policies and guidance from County programs and facilities, employer, school, nursing home, and/or daycare settings.

Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without care from a doctor. Older adults and people of any age with certain underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for more serious complications from COVID-19. Seek care early.

The highest risk of spreading COVID-19 is during the first 5 days, but spread is still possible for up to 14 days after infection. People may choose to isolate for the full 14 days after testing positive for COVID-19.

Follow these additional steps:

•  Stay away from others.
  • Stay 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) away from others.
  • Do not share personal items.
  • Use a separate bedroom and bathroom, if possible.
• Watch for symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Stay in touch with your doctor.
  • Work with your doctor to see if you are eligible to receive COVID-19 treatment (antiviral pills or monoclonal antibody therapy) for your COVID-19 infection.
  • Call first if you need to see your doctor or urgent care.
  • Call 9-1-1 if you need help right away. For example, if you have trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure, confusion, or bluish lips or face.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched a lot at least daily. See the CDC’s guidance.
• Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth, especially when around other people.
• Make sure the room has good air flow, if you have to share space. Open the window to increase air circulation. Improving ventilation helps remove respiratory droplets from the air.
• Notify people you have had close contact with. This means within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. Tell them to wear a mask for 10 full days after last exposure and test on day 6, if possible. You may wish to share the guidance for “If You Had Close Contact with Someone Who Is Sick.”
  • If you have symptoms, you were able to spread COVID-19 starting two days before your symptoms began.
  • If you do not have symptoms, you were able to spread COVID-19 starting two days before you tested positive.
  • See the Virginia Department of Health’s COVID-19: How to Notify Your Contacts, for help identifying and talking to your close contacts. 

• If you test positive for COVID-19, Arlington County Public Health may call you to ask about your symptoms, people you were with, and your activities.

To keep you and others safe, follow these steps to slow the spread even if you aren't contacted by the health department. 

• After you recover, get vaccinated or boosted.

When to End Isolation

You should wait to end your isolation until at least 5 days after symptoms started and you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved.

• If your symptoms are improving or starting to go away after 5 days with no fever, you can leave your home while wearing a mask around others.
• Continue to isolate after day 5 if symptoms do not improve. Seek medical care for any new or worsening symptoms.
• Do not travel during your 5 or more-day isolation period. After you end isolation, wear a well-fitting mask when you are around others through day 10. 
• Do not travel on public transportation such as airplanes, buses, and trains if you will not be able to wear a high-quality mask or respirator when around others indoors for the full duration of your trip.
• Contact your healthcare provider if you have questions.
• The CDC’s Isolation and Exposure Calculator can be used to calculate your isolation period and provide guidance based on your situation.

If You Had Close Contact with Someone Who Is Sick

These CDC recommendations are the minimum isolation recommendations and precautions for the general population. You may need to follow additional COVID-19 policies and guidance from County programs and facilities, employer, school, nursing home, and/or daycare settings.

A close contact is anyone within 6 feet of a person with COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. 

Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth when around others for 10 full days after last exposure. 

CDC recommends that people remain up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, which includes additional doses for individuals who are immunocompromised or booster doses at regular time points.

The highest risk of developing COVID-19 illness is during the first 5 days after exposure, but developing illness is still possible for up to 14 days. People may choose to take precautions for up to 14 days after being exposed to COVID-19. 

Follow these additional steps:.

• Watch for symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day, and watch for fever or cough.
  • If you get sick, follow the guidance for “If You Have Symptoms (Isolate).”
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched a lot at least daily. See the CDC’s guidance.
• Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth, especially when around other people.
• Make sure the room has good air flow, if you have to share space. Open the window to increase air circulation. Improving ventilation helps remove respiratory droplets from the air.
• If you test positive, follow the guidance for “If You Test Positive (Isolate).” 

• If you test positive for COVID-19, Arlington County Public Health may call you to ask about your symptoms, people you were with, and your activities.

To keep you and others safe, follow these steps to slow the spread even if you aren't contacted by the health department.

• After you recover, get vaccinated or boosted.

Set Up Your Buddy System

If you become ill or need to isolate or self-quarantine, you may need help from other people. And other people may ask you for help.

Having a buddy system will make it easier to get things like food and medicine if you are unable to leave your home. We recommend that every household has two “buddy system” households to call upon for help if needed.

Plan ahead and reach out now – safely – to put your “buddy system” in place.

Buddies can be:

• Friends and neighbors
• People you know through work and social networks
• Members of faith groups
• Members of neighborhood associations (many have Facebook or NextDoor groups or other ways to be in contact)