[Archived] Alexandria Health Department Urges Quarantine Compliance for Those Exposed to COVID-19

­­For Immediate Release: November 18, 2020 

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Alexandria and Northern Virginia, the Alexandria Health Department (AHD) urges everyone to follow quarantine procedures if exposed to COVID-19.

Anyone who has been in close contact with a person with COVID-19 is at increased risk of developing infection (including infection without symptoms) and spreading the virus to others. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a close contact is any individual within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more in a 24 hour period, whether or not anyone was wearing a mask at the time.

AHD determines who has been a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case through the contact tracing process. AHD calls all close contacts and provides information on how long they should quarantine as well as how to monitor their health. Close contacts should remain in quarantine - away from others - for 14 days after exposure. 

Someone who tests negative or feels healthy can still be at risk of spreading the infection to family and friends, because infection can appear 2 to 14 days after exposure. Quarantining for 14 days lowers the chance of exposing others to COVID-19. AHD may advise COVID-19 testing during the quarantine period; however, public health officials stress that "you can't test out of quarantine." 

The purpose of quarantine is to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Quarantine helps prevent the spread of the virus that can occur before a person knows they are sick, either with or without symptoms. People in quarantine should stay home, separate themselves from others in the household, monitor their health, and follow directions from their state and local health departments. Workers who need to quarantine may be eligible for paid leave under the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Steps to take when asked to quarantine:

• Stay home for 14 days after the last contact with a person who has COVID-19.

• Watch for fever of 100.0◦F or higher, shortness of breath, or other COVID-19 symptoms. Seek medical attention immediately if symptoms become severe.

• Stay away from others, both at home and in public, and those who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.

• Learn when it’s safe to be around others, including returning to work (available in English, Spanish, Amharic and Arabic).

Steps everyone should take:

To protect against COVID-19, everyone should maintain 6 feet of physical distance from  anyone outside of their household, wear a mask, and practice frequent and proper hand washing. AHD urges residents to continue to abide by public health guidance. In general, the more closely people interact with each other and the longer that interaction lasts, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread.

Visit alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus for information about where to get tested, contact tracing, and quarantine procedures.