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COVID-19 EXPOSURE ACTION CHART

WHO ACTION

Asymptomatic Close Contact Exposure

(No symptoms* but had close contact** with someone who tested positive for COVID-19)

Mask around others with a properly fit, non-cloth mask for 10 days.

Get tested on day 5 after exposure (date of last exposure is day 0). See below for what to do if you develop symptoms or test positive.

Self-monitor. Check for fever or respiratory symptoms.

Symptomatic
(regardless of exposure)

Self-isolate. Do not leave home unless seeking medical care or testing. Avoid others in your residence. Disinfect surfaces regularly.

Get tested Immediately.
Testing too early with a rapid antigen can produce a false negative. If you test negative on a rapid antigen test, continue to isolate and mask, and test again 36-48 hour later.

Students: schedule an appointment with a UHS provider. You may also choose to use a self-test kit, which is available at area pharmacies and retailers.

Faculty/Staff: schedule a test with UT Health Austin or private healthcare provider. You may also choose to use a self-test kit, which is available at area pharmacies and retailers.

Mask with a properly fit, non-cloth mask.

Positive COVID-19 Test

Isolate for at least 5 days*** since symptoms first appeared AND at least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medications AND symptoms have improved.

If asymptomatic, isolate for 5 days from the date of the test.

Immediately notify individuals with whom you had close contact in the 48 hour period prior to receiving your positive test result or symptom onset and ask them to follow the guidance above for asymptomatic close contacts (or symptomatic if applicable).

Sample language: "I wanted to let you know that I tested positive for COVID-19. According to the CDC, you are considered a close contact. Please take a look at the Exposure Action Chart to determine what actions you should take."

Mask for a full 10 days with a properly-fit non-cloth masks, even if you have ended isolation after 5.

Special Case Isolation Instruction for Mask-Inhibited Activities
Students, faculty and staff who test positive for COVID-19 and are required to engage in activities that prevent effective masking should not participate in those activities until they have received a negative result on a rapid antigen test or 10 full days, whichever comes first.

WHO

Asymptomatic Close Contact Exposure

(No symptoms* but had close contact** with someone who tested positive for COVID-19)

ACTION

Mask around others with a properly fit, non-cloth mask for 10 days.

Get tested on day 5 after exposure (date of last exposure is day 0). See below for what to do if you develop symptoms or test positive.

Self-monitor. Check for fever or respiratory symptoms.

WHO

Symptomatic
(regardless of exposure)

ACTION

Self-isolate. Do not leave home unless seeking medical care or testing. Avoid others in your residence. Disinfect surfaces regularly.

Get tested Immediately.
Testing too early with a rapid antigen can produce a false negative. If you test negative on a rapid antigen test, continue to isolate and mask, and test again 36-48 hour later.

Students: schedule an appointment with a UHS provider. You may also choose to use a self-test kit, which is available at area pharmacies and retailers.

Faculty/Staff: schedule a test with UT Health Austin or private healthcare provider. You may also choose to use a self-test kit, which is available at area pharmacies and retailers.

Mask with a properly fit, non-cloth mask.

WHO

Positive COVID-19 Test

ACTION

Isolate for at least 5 days*** since symptoms first appeared AND at least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medications AND symptoms have improved.

If asymptomatic, isolate for 5 days from the date of the test.

Immediately notify individuals with whom you had close contact in the 48 hour period prior to receiving your positive test result or symptom onset and ask them to follow the guidance above for asymptomatic close contacts (or symptomatic if applicable).

Sample language: "I wanted to let you know that I tested positive for COVID-19. According to the CDC, you are considered a close contact. Please take a look at the Exposure Action Chart to determine what actions you should take."

Mask for a full 10 days with a properly-fit non-cloth masks, even if you have ended isolation after 5.

Special Case Isolation Instruction for Mask-Inhibited Activities
Students, faculty and staff who test positive for COVID-19 and are required to engage in activities that prevent effective masking should not participate in those activities until they have received a negative result on a rapid antigen test or 10 full days, whichever comes first.

DEFINITIONS:

*Symptoms of COVID-19: Range from mild to severe and may include fever (≥ 100.0°F) or chills, cough, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle/body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.

**Close Contact: Being within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test) until the time the patient is isolated.

*** Given there is residual risk of transmission from days 5-10, a negative rapid antigen test for COVID-19 on the morning of day 6 can reassure you and others that you are less likely to be infectious. If you test positive with a rapid antigen on day 6, continue isolation and test again on day 8. If you are still positive on day 8, continue to isolate through day 10, after which testing is not necessary and you can end isolation. If a rapid test is not available, consider staying home at least past day 7. PCR tests should not be used to end isolation. If you end isolation prior to day 10, UT recommends minimizing time in public when possible. For masking, properly fit, non-cloth masks are preferred in this scenario, and eat/drink in well-ventilated and socially distanced locations.

Symptoms that Suggest COVID-19 Worsening, Call Your Doctor or Go to ER: Shortness of breath at rest, chest pain, persistently high fever despite fever lowering medicine, confusion, lightheadedness, inability to eat or drink.

Self-monitor: People should monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19. If they feel feverish or develop measured fever, cough, or difficulty breathing during the selfmonitoring period, they should self-isolate, limit contact with others and seek advice by telephone from a healthcare provider to determine whether medical evaluation is needed.

Self-isolation: Separates people with symptoms of COVID-19, with or without a positive test. Stay home and away from others who share your residence to prevent the spread of the virus.

Note: Testing guidance is based on limited information and is subject to change as more information becomes available.




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