Degrees of Separation (Updated)

With the ongoing surge of COVID cases associated with the Delta Variant and the introduction of vaccines as a preventative measure, I have updated my recommendations regarding appropriate precautions to take based on exposure to COVID

Zero Degrees

If you’ve been diagnosed with COVID, you should isolate to prevent exposure to others.  If your symptoms worsen, you should be in contact with your doctor, or seek emergency help. 

There are three basic criteria to come out of self-quarantine:     

1.      It must be at least 10 days from the onset of symptoms

2.      You must be fever free for at least 2 full days

3.      Your symptoms must be improving

Repeat testing is not recommended as a means to prove that you are no longer contagious.  That decision is based on the criteria above. 

One Degree

If you are not vaccinated and you’ve been in direct contact with someone who has now tested positive for COVID, I recommend self-quarantine for 10 days from your last contact.  This should be a strict quarantine, significantly limiting interaction and exposure with others.  Direct contact would be considered contact within six feet, without masks.  This would include household contacts, co-workers, etc.  The time you spend with the person increases your risk, and indoor exposure seems to increase risk when compared to outdoor exposure.  It is important to monitor for symptoms during this time.  Current CDC guidelines don’t recommend quarantine for vaccinated individuals, but these guidelines were created prior to the Delta Variant surge.  I believe that following this stricter protocol discussed above is also appropriate for vaccinated individuals. 

If you are vaccinated, and have direct or indirect contact, or if you are unvaccinated and have had indirect contact with an infected person, then strict self-quarantine is probably not necessary.  But, self-monitoring for symptoms and being mindful of interactions with others is recommended.  Strictly follow social distancing, hand washing and mask recommendations. Indirect contact would best be described as being in the same vicinity as someone who tested positive, or being in closer contact, but with both parties wearing a mask. 

Testing is recommended approximately 5-7 days after your last exposure to the infected individual.  PCR testing is preferred if you are asymptomatic and strictly testing based on your exposure.

Two Degrees

At this point, almost everyone in our area has had contact with “someone-who-was-around-someone” who had COVID.  There are no specific guidelines for these situations, but I think some general measures are appropriate.  You should self-monitor for symptoms of COVID, and limit the number of people you contact for at least 10 days, much like an indirect contact.  You should also stay in touch with those who had direct contact with the COVID-positive person.  If one of them tests positive, or becomes symptomatic, then you’ve moved from two degrees of separation to one.

In general, it is probably wise for everyone to behave as though they are only two degrees removed from a positive case, as this is likely true for most.