Pilots Prevent
August 10, 2021
Getting vaccinated and wearing a mask are still everyone’s best defenses against contracting and spreading COVID-19, especially as the highly contagious Delta variant has caused a spike among unvaccinated individuals. Although breakthrough cases are relatively rare, they can happen. So, as reports of vaccinated people contracting COVID circulate, you may be wondering what to do if you find out one of your close friends, family, or colleagues test positive, even though you’re all vaccinated.
“If you’ve been vaccinated but have had close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider immediately,” says Kaylin Soldat, associate director of primary care services in UP’s Health and Counseling Center. “They may recommend testing, quarantine, or symptom monitoring depending on the specifics of the exposure. For students, the Health and Counseling center can provide this guidance and any recommended testing.”
What exactly does close contact mean? The Centers for Disease Control defines it as being within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.
The CDC recommends vaccinated people who have had close contact with someone who tests positive should get tested themselves three to five days after exposure. In the past, the CDC had recommended testing for fully vaccinated people only if they were experiencing symptoms, but they’ve changed this recommendation since the much more contagious Delta variant is now far more common. Keep masked while indoors with other people for 14 days or until your test comes back negative—even at home if you live with someone municipalized or unvaccinated. And monitor yourself for symptoms for 14 days.
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