COVID-19 Exposure Action Chart (2023)

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WHO UP TO DATE ON COVID-19VACCINATION
CDC Staying Up to Date on COVID-19 Vaccines
UNVACCINATED OR NOT UP TO DATE
CDC Staying Up to Date on COVID-19 Vaccines

Asymptomatic Close Contact Exposure

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

Mask around others for 10 days.

Get tested on day 5 after exposure (date of exposure is day 0). Use a free self-test kit. See below for what to do if you develop symptoms or test positive.

Self-monitor. Check for fever or respiratorysymptoms.

Self-quarantine. Stay home for 5 days.

Mask around others for 10 days.

Get tested on day 5 after exposure (date of exposure is day 0). Use a free self-test kit. See below for what to do if you develop symptoms or test positive.

Self-monitor. Check for fever or respiratorysymptoms.

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 freeself-test kit.

Faculty/Staff: schedule a test with UT Health Austin or private healthcare provider. You may also choose to use a free self-test kit.

Mask with a properly fit, non-cloth mask.

(Video) Press conference on COVID-19 and Intra-action Reviews (IAR)

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 freeself-test kit.

Faculty/Staff: schedule a test with UT Health Austin or private healthcare provider. You may also choose to use a free self-test kit.

Mask with a properly fit, non-cloth mask.

Positive COVID-19Test

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.

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.

(Video) Medical association ranks activities by COVID-19 risk level

WHO

Asymptomatic Close Contact Exposure

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

UP TO DATE ON COVID-19VACCINATION
CDC Staying Up to Date on COVID-19 Vaccines

Mask around others for 10 days.

Get tested on day 5 after exposure (date of exposure is day 0). Use a free self-test kit. See below for what to do if you develop symptoms or test positive.

Self-monitor. Check for fever or respiratorysymptoms.

UNVACCINATED OR NOT UP TO DATE
CDC Staying Up to Date on COVID-19 Vaccines

Self-quarantine. Stay home for 5 days.

Mask around others for 10 days.

Get tested on day 5 after exposure (date of exposure is day 0). Use a free self-test kit. See below for what to do if you develop symptoms or test positive.

Self-monitor. Check for fever or respiratorysymptoms.

WHO

Symptomatic
(regardless ofexposure)

UP TO DATE ON COVID-19VACCINATION
CDC Staying Up to Date on COVID-19 Vaccines

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 freeself-test kit.

Faculty/Staff: schedule a test with UT Health Austin or private healthcare provider. You may also choose to use a free self-test kit.

(Video) COVID-19 Information

Mask with a properly fit, non-cloth mask.

UNVACCINATED OR NOT UP TO DATE
CDC Staying Up to Date on COVID-19 Vaccines

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 freeself-test kit.

Faculty/Staff: schedule a test with UT Health Austin or private healthcare provider. You may also choose to use a free self-test kit.

Mask with a properly fit, non-cloth mask.

WHO

Positive COVID-19 Test

UP TO DATE ON COVID-19VACCINATION
CDC Staying Up to Date on COVID-19 Vaccines

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.

UNVACCINATED OR NOT UP TO DATE
CDC Staying Up to Date on COVID-19 Vaccines

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.

(Video) OSHA's ETS For Occupational Exposure To COVID-19: New Workplace And Training Mandates

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/bodyaches, 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 isisolated.

*** 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 loweringmedicine, 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 selfmonitoringperiod, they should self-isolate, limit contact with others and seek adviceby telephone from a healthcare provider to determine whether medical evaluation isneeded.

Self-quarantine: Separates people who were exposed but do not have symptomsto see if they become symptomatic. A person can be contagious before symptomsbegin, so this is critical to prevent the spread.

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 preventthe spread of the virus.

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

(Video) Covid19 Symptoms and Taking Action

Download a PDF of this page in English.

COVID-19 Exposure Action Chart (1)Get Adobe Reader

FAQs

What should you do if exposed to exposure to COVID-19? ›

If you were exposed to COVID-19 and develop symptoms (even mild ones), you should stay home and away from others and get tested for COVID-19 with a viral test, regardless of vaccination status.

How long after exposure to Covid do you test positive? ›

If you were exposed to COVID-19 and do not have symptoms, wait at least 5 full days after your exposure before testing. If you test too early, you may be more likely to get an inaccurate result. If you are in certain high-risk settings, you may need to test as part of a screening testing program.

How accurate is Covid test 8 days after exposure? ›

The study also found that the false-negative rate is at a low point about 8 days after exposure.

How quickly do Omicron variant symptoms appear? ›

The time from exposure to symptom onset (known as the incubation period) is thought to be two to 14 days. Symptoms typically appeared within five days for early variants, and within four days for the Delta variant. The incubation period appears to be even shorter – about three days – for the Omicron variant.

What is Covid Omicron incubation period? ›

A study conducted during high levels of Delta variant transmission reported an incubation period of 4.3 days,(2) and studies performed during high levels of Omicron variant transmission reported a median incubation period of 3–4 days. ( 3,4)

When is Covid not contagious? ›

Isolation should continue for at least 10 days after symptom onset (day 0 is the day symptoms appeared, and day 1 is the next full day thereafter). Some people with severe illness (e.g., requiring hospitalization, intensive care, or ventilation support) may remain infectious beyond 10 days.

Can you test negative for Covid and still be contagious? ›

You can have COVID-19 and spread it to others even if you do not have symptoms. Your COVID-19 test can be negative even if you are infected. Most people do not test positive for the virus until days after exposure. You may also be exposed to the virus afteryou are tested and then get infected.

When is PCR test most accurate? ›

RT-PCR tests are very accurate when properly performed by a health care professional, but the rapid test can miss some cases. Antigen test. This COVID-19 test detects certain proteins in the virus. Using a long nasal swab to get a fluid sample, some antigen tests can produce results in minutes.

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4. Firm Level Risk Exposure adn Stock Returns in the Wake of COVID-19
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