Quarantine vs. Isolation

• What is the difference between quarantine and isolation?
• You quarantine when you might have been exposed to the virus. | CDC
• You isolate when you have been infected with the virus, even if you don’t have symptoms. | CDC

Quarantine

Quarantine if you have been in close contact (within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone who has COVID-19, unless you have been fully vaccinated. People who are fully vaccinated do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have symptoms. However, fully vaccinated people should get tested 3-5 days after their exposure, even if they don’t have symptoms and wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until their test result is negative.

What to do:

• Stay home for 14 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19.
• Watch for fever (100.4◦F), cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
• If possible, stay away from people you live with, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.

Isolation

Isolation is used to separate people infected with COVID-19 from those who are not infected. People who are in isolation should stay home until it’s safe for them to be around others. At home, anyone sick or infected should separate from others, stay in a specific “sick room” or area, and use a separate bathroom (if available).

What to do:

• Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately.
• Stay in a separate room from other household members, if possible.
• Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
• Avoid contact with other members of the household and pets.
• Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.
• Wear a mask when around other people if able.

When to seek emergency medical attention

• Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:
• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. People with the following 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

COVID-19 tests are available that can test for current infection or past infection.

Types of tests

• A viral test tells you if you have a current infection. Two types of viral tests can be used: nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and antigen tests.
• An antibody test (also known as a serology test) might tell you if you had a past infection. Antibody tests should not be used to diagnose a current infection.
• Get Tested for COVID-19

Three COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment facilities will be stood up in North Idaho, eastern Idaho, and the Treasure Valley. Monoclonal antibody treatment involves therapeutic medications that are proving to be effective in keeping people from getting severely ill and requiring hospitalization after contracting COVID-19. The centers will help preserve hospital bed capacity for the severely ill.

Specific information about the exact location of the treatment centers will be made available in the coming days. Additional treatment centers may be added later.

Patients visiting the treatment centers must have a referral from a doctor. The treatments are free.

Learn more about monoclonal treatments and Idaho's efforts, HERE.

Quarantine and isolation can occur concurrently in a household if all of the following are implemented:

Limit contact

• The person who is sick should isolate
• The sick person should separate themselves from others in the home.
• If possible, have the person who is sick use a separate bedroom and bathroom.
• If possible, have the person who is sick stay in their own “sick room” or area and away from others.
• Try to stay at least 6 feet away from the sick person.
• Shared space: If you have to share space, make sure the room has good air flow. Open the window to increase air circulation. Improving ventilation helps remove respiratory droplets from the air.
• Avoid having visitors. Avoid having any unnecessary visitors, especially visits by people who are at higher risk for severe illness.

Eat in separate rooms or areas

Avoid sharing personal items

Wear a mask

• The person who is sick should wear a mask when they are around other people at home and out (including before they enter a doctor’s office).
• The mask helps prevent a person who is sick from spreading the virus to others. It keeps respiratory droplets contained and from reaching other people.
• Masks should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is not able to remove the covering without help.

Caregiver

• Put on a mask and ask the sick person to put on a mask before entering the room.

Clean your hands often

If you are unable to separate infectious persons from well persons in the household by following all risk reductions, it is important to implement as many of the risk reductions as possible. Household members will need to quarantine for 14 days after the infectious person is out of isolation which is the last known exposure date. See section on quarantine.

People you have been around during the two-day period prior to the start of your symptoms (or if you are asymptomatic, two days before your positive COVID-19 specimen collection date), through to the time you start isolation, are at greatest risk of infection and should be prioritized for notification. Learn more, about identifying & talking to your close contacts, HERE.

Idaho Hotlines & Resources

• Idaho Department of Health and Welfare - Behavioral Health Webpage - Resources for Idahoans
• 2-1-1 Idaho Careline | Get Connected. Get answers. Dial 2-1-1 or 800-926-2588
• COVID Help Now Line - Call or text 986-867-1073 | Toll Free 866-947-5186
  www.ioem.idaho.gov/covidhelpnow - Live chat available
• Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline — Text or call 1-208-398-4357 - Help is available 24-7
• The Crisis Hotline — Call 208-788-3596 (English) or 208-578-4114 (Bilingual) - Available 24-7
• Optum Member Crisis Line — 1-855-2020-0973 - Open 24-7
• Empower Idaho - campaign materials to support + share

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Coping with Stress + Caring for your Mental Health
• #HealthyatHome - guidance to look after our mental health + resources to share
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) - advice, guidance, and resources
  

The following is a list of COVID-19 testing sites in our community, though it may not be inclusive of all locations, and type of testing offered may vary (e.g. PCR nasal swab vs. antibody testing).

NOTE: Many sites require a phone or online screening before testing. Please visit the website for each location to learn more about specific pre-test screening requirements, processes, and hours before going to a testing location.

View Central District Health's COVID-19 vaccine webpage, HERE for more information.