COVID-19 Negative Test Result Education

Your COVID-19 test is Negative: What does it mean?

Today your test is negative which means that you do not have the COVID-19 virus and are not at risk of passing the disease to anyone. But if you were in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 you should still quarantine for 10 days even if today you tested negative for COVID-19 because you could have tested too early to show a positive result. This means that you could still pass the virus to someone if you begin to develop symptoms on COVID-19 in the next 3-10 days.

What is considered a “CLOSE CONTACT”?

You were within 6 feet of someone with COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. It does not matter if you were wearing a mask and or a face shield.
You had unprotected contact with body fluids and/or secretions from someone with COVID-19. For example, you were coughed or sneezed on, you shared a drinking cup or eating utensils, you kissed, or you provided care to them without wearing the right protective equipment.

What is my risk of getting covid from a close contact?

A person with positive COVID-19 results with symptoms can infect others from 2 days before their symptoms first started until they are allowed to end their home isolation on day 10. A person with a positive COVID-19 test who does not have symptoms is considered to be infectious from 2 days before their test was taken until 10 days after their test.

How to protect your self and others from Covid-19 infection

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
Avoid close contact. Inside your home: Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members. Outside your home: Put 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household. Always avoid gatherings outside your immediate family that lives with you.
Always wear a mask or face covering. Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others. Masks help prevent you from getting or spreading the virus. Everyone should wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household.
Always test if you have symptoms of COVID-19: Fever or chills, Cough, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, Headache, New loss of taste or smell, Sore throat, Congestion or runny nose, Nausea or vomiting or Diarrhea.
Always isolate for 10 days if you think you have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
Always think of others who are vulnerable from dying due to COVID-19 infection if you expose them.