Oct. 28, 2020

What does it mean to be a "close contact" of a COVID-19 case?

A "close contact" is someone who is at higher risk for getting COVID-19 based on exposure to a positive case. However, there are many risk factors to keep in mind.

By now you probably know that contact tracing is one of the most important tools we have for slowing the spread of COVID-19. 

When Kitsap Public Health is notified of a positive COVID-19 case in our community, we interview the case and learn about the people they interacted closely with during the time they were contagious. We then reach out to those "close contacts" and advise them to quarantine (stay home and away from others) for 14 days. We also recommend close contacts get tested for COVID-19. This process can greatly reduce the potential for COVID-19 being passed from one person to another.

View our What is Contact Tracing? fact sheet for more information.

A NEW DEFINITION FOR "CLOSE CONTACT"

Kitsap Public Health uses Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance to help identify close contacts of COVID-19 cases. Until recently, the CDC defined a close contact as someone who had spent at least 15 consecutive minutes within 6 feet of a positive COVID-19 case.

This month, the CDC expanded its criteria for close contacts. Under the new definition, a person is considered a close contact if they spent a total of 15 minutes within 6 feet of a positive case during a 24-hour period. For example, someone who had three, five-minute interactions with a positive case over the course of a day could now be considered a close contact.

If you are identified as a close contact of a COVID-19 case, you will get a call from your health department. Please respond as soon as possible!

EVEN BRIEF INTERACTIONS CAN INCREASE RISK

It is important to know that the "15 minutes within 6 feet" definition is simply a tool for evaluating who might be at higher risk for contracting COVID-19. It is not a rigid rule for determining who can or cannot get COVID-19. 

You could be at risk for getting COVID-19 if you have had any contact with a COVID-19 case, even if you don't meet the definition of a "close contact." That is why it is so critical to make COVID-19 prevention steps, including physical distancing and wearing a face covering, part of your everyday routine. If you think you have been exposed to a COVID-19 case, avoid close contact with others and seek testing (testing is ideally done 5-8 days after exposure). 

Risk factors include: 

• How close together people are (close interactions increase risk)
• Length of interactions (longer or more frequent interactions increase risk)
• Use of face coverings (risk is greater when people are not wearing masks)
• Physical space (indoor spaces with poor ventilation increase risk)
• A case is more likely to spread COVID-19 if they have symptoms, such as a cough. However, people can spread COVID-19 before they develop symptoms and even people who never develop symptoms can spread COVID-19.

Reduce your risk: 

• Stay at least 6 feet apart from people from outside of your household
• Avoid crowded places and large gatherings
• Keep interactions brief
• Wear a face covering anytime you are around people from outside you household
• Interact outdoors or in well-ventilated spaces
• Avoid contact with people who are sick, even if their illness is mild. If you develop symptoms, stay home and away from others and get tested for COVID-19 as soon as possible. 

Learn more about COVID-19 and prevention steps at cdc.gov/coronavirus.