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Who is a close contact?

If you were recently in contact with someone who is ill or who tested positive for COVID-19, you may be considered a close contact. You are a close contact if ALL the conditions below are met:

  • You were in contact with the ill person in the 48 hours before their symptoms started or the person tested positive, whichever came first
  • You were 2 meters away or less
  • Contact was at least 15 minutes (or multiple shorter lengths of time)
  • Both people were not wearing masks (medical or non-medical).

I am a close contact. What do I need to do?

All close contacts should take these precautions for 10 days from their last contact (unmasked and closer than 2 metres) with the ill person:

  • Wear a well-fitted mask in indoor public settings (including work, school, and childcare).
  • Avoid activities where mask removal would be necessary, including dining out and practicing/playing sports where masking cannot be maintained. 
  • Do not visit anyone who is at higher risk of illness, such as seniors. Note that some disabilities are invisible, and do not assume that others are low risk. 
  • Avoid non-essential visits to highest risk settings. Highest risk settings are hospitals (including paramedic services), home and community care, congregate living, long term care and retirement homes, First Nation elder care lodges, group homes, shelters, hospices, correctional institutions, Provincial Demonstration schools, and hospital schools. Please contact a specific organization if you have questions about their policy.

Do close contacts need to self-isolate?

If you are a close contact, you do not need to self-isolate unless you develop symptoms. For more information about symptoms, click here.  

Do I need to get tested for COVID-19?

Only certain individuals now qualify for an Assessment Centre test, and there are a limited number of rapid antigen tests available. For more information about COVID-19 testing in Timiskaming, click here.

Who is a low-risk contact?

In general, a low-risk contact is someone who maintained a physical distance of at least two metres from the person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19. Other factors such as ventilation, masks and PPE, and exposure time are also considered.

Next steps for low-risk contacts

  • Self-monitor for 10 days.
  • If you develop symptoms, click here for details about what to do next. 

Resources

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