First, let us define "exposure". As per the CDC, a person that is considered exposed is: Someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person over a 24-hour period for a combined total of 15 minutes or more or had direct contact with the infected person’s secretions (e.g., coughed directly into the face of contact) starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic persons, 2 days prior to testing specimen collection); healthcare personnel wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (see https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control-recommendations.html) are considered protected.
As of today, 12/08/2020: If a child has been exposed, either they have symptoms or not, (for example there is a family member living in the house with the child and has tested positive for COVID19) then it is recommended that:
1. We test the child for COVID-19, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic (Will not shorten required 10-day quarantine). If positive, investigation may identify other contacts that possibly have been exposed.
2. Advise patient they must quarantine for 10 days (as per the new CDC guidelines) after the date of last exposure (and if continued exposure, 10 days after confirmed case released from isolation).
In addition, if the child has symptoms, we will now test also for influenza.
Keep in mind that the CDC still recommends 14 days of quarantine as the safest option. Face mask is recommended even after a negative COVID test. Schools and businesses may also have their own protocol.
In our office, we can test for COVID and Flu (rapid PCR, nasopharyngeal swab). Results are sent out and received the next day. By appointment only.
How to explain all this to your little one? Check out these great child-friendly resources: https://www.sesamestreet.org/caring
For more information please sign up for our newsletter at read: https://health.hawaii.gov/coronavirusdisease2019/files/2020/08/COVID-19-Return-to-Work-School-Guidance-073120.pdf
https://hawaiicovid19.com/hawaii-department-of-health-updates-quarantine-guidance-based-on-review-of-centers-for-disease-control-and-preventions-new-recommendations/