The delta variant of the novel coronavirus continues to dominate the United States, creating breakthrough cases among the fully vaccinated and creating a pandemic among the unvaccinated. So what should you do if you think you have COVID-19?
What to do if you think you have COVID-19
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a number of tips for what people should do if they think they have been infected with the novel coronavirus.
Stay home if you’ve been exposed.
- The CDC said people should quarantine if they’ve been exposed to COVID-19. The quarantine keeps someone who is exposed to COVID-19 away from others, limiting the spread of the virus.
- People who have been exposed should stay home and separate themselves from others, according to the CDC.
Get tested for COVID-19.
- People with symptoms should get tested as soon as possible.
- Fully vaccinated people with no COVID-19 symptoms do not need a test, according to the CDC.
- People who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the last three months do need a COVID-19 test after exposure, as long as they aren't showing symptoms.
How soon after exposure to COVID-19 can you be tested?
You can get a COVID-19 test anytime.
The CDC does not have a recommendation for a specific amount of time before you get a COVID-19 test. The CDC has a coronavirus self-checker that can help you see whether or not you have been infected and whether or not you should get a free, rapid test.
However, the CDC said people should get a COVID-19 test after they’ve had close contact with someone who had COVID-19. That means you were within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.