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1. If I test negative, do I have to finish my 10-day quarantine?

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Yes. If you have been told to quarantine for 10 days, you must complete the quarantine even if you tested negative during that time.

If you test negative for COVID-19 by a viral test, you probably were not infected at the time your sample was collected. However, that does not mean you will not get sick. 

The test result only means that you did not have COVID-19 at the time of testing. You might test negative if the sample was collected early in your infection and test positive later during your illness. 

2. What am I allowed to do during quarantine?

If you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, it is important to stay home and away from other people until it is safe to be around others. Please stay in your home unless you need to leave to seek medical care. 

Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others.  

Find more info at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/quarantine.html

3. What are the differences between social distancing, quarantine, and isolation?

Source: http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/toolkit/Isolation_and_Quarantine_Guidance_and_FAQ.pdf 

4. What is the amount of time for quarantine?

10 days is the required quarantine time, adopted as of December 10, 2020.

Patients may end their quarantine period after day 10 if they do not develop symptoms.

A person who has had close contact with a positive patient is required to quarantine for 10 days. Close contacts are those exposed to a person with COVID-19, even if that person didn’t have symptoms, if any of the following situations occurred:

• Living with the person or stayed overnight for at least one night in a house with the person; or
• Within 6 feet of the person for 10 consecutive minutes or more; or
• Direct contact with the infectious secretions of the person (for example, coughed or sneezed on; kissed; contact with a dirty tissue; shared a drinking glass, food, towels, or other personal items).

Household contacts, or people who live with someone who tested positive, must be quarantined for 10 days after the case has been released from home isolation (because exposure is considered ongoing within the house).

5. If someone in my household is quarantined, are we all quarantined?

No, only the person who had close contact with a positive patient is required to quarantine. 

You should stay away from the person in quarantine as much as possible, and avoid sharing sleeping quarters and bathrooms.

If symptoms develop, call the Riley County Screening line to speak with a nurse 785-323-6400. The Screening Line is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Any person experiencing life-threatening symptoms should call 911.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• 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

Life-threatening symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all possible symptoms. People should call a medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.

6. What counts as close contact?

KDHE says close contacts are those exposed to a person with COVID-19, even if that person didn’t have symptoms, if any of the following situations occurred:

• Living with the person or stayed overnight for at least one night in a house with the person; or
• Within 6 feet of the person for 10 consecutive minutes or more; or
• Direct contact with the infectious secretions of the person (for example, coughed or sneezed on; kissed; contact with a dirty tissue; shared a drinking glass, food, towels, or other personal items).

Anyone who has close contact with a positive patient must complete a 10-day quarantine period beginning after their last contact.

Household contacts, or people who live with someone who tested positive, must be quarantined for 10 days after the case has been released from home isolation (because exposure is considered ongoing within the house).