Posted on September 8, 2020 at 12:00 PM by Sarah OConnell
Returning Home From a Campus or Community Experiencing a COVID-19 Outbreak?
As colleges and universities revise their plans for in-person learning, students may be returning to Loudoun County from communities that are experiencing increases in the number and percentage of positive COVID-19 cases.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19 from these communities to family members and others in your household and in the greater community, the Loudoun County Health Department advises students and their parents to carefully consider quarantine guidance.
By keeping away from others, quarantine helps prevent the spread of disease that can occur before you know you are sick or if you are infected with the virus but don’t have symptoms.
If you’re returning home and you have recently been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, it is important that you quarantine for 14 days after your last contact with that person. During your quarantine, you should stay home, monitor your health and stay away from others in your house and community, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19, such as older adults.
If you’re returning home after living on a college campus or in a community with rising positive cases, you should still consider quarantining whether or not you had a known contact with a person infected with COVID-19.
"Close contact” means:
- You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more;
- You provided care to someone who is sick with COVID-19;
- You had direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them);
- You shared eating or drinking utensils; and/or
- They sneezed, coughed or somehow got respiratory droplets on you.
If you have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19, you should:
- 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; and
- If possible, stay away from others, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.
- Learn more about when to quarantine on the CDC’s website.
If you are sick, you might have COVID-19.
Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home. Contact healthcare provider and keep track of your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign, including trouble breathing, get emergency medical care immediately. Additionally, you should:
- Stay home from work and school;
- Monitor your symptoms;
- Get rest and stay hydrated;
- Cover your cough and sneezes;
- Wash your hands often;
- Stay away from others as much as possible;
- Avoid sharing personal items; and
- Clean all surface that are touched often.
- Learn more about what to do if you are sick on the CDC’s website.
We’re all in this together! Slowing the spread of COVID-19 in our community requires each of use to take steps that protect ourselves, our families, our friends and others in the community. Visit www.loudoun.gov/coronavirus to get the facts about coronavirus. You can also contact the Loudoun County Health Department at 703-737-8300 or by email at health@loudoun.gov.
Stay Informed
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