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The following guidelines are meant to help you think through what you should do if you have been exposed to Covid-19. They are not intended to be followed in a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7), but out of a spirit of love for neighbor (Mark 12:31). They are adapted from various guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and the Virginia Department of Health and are therefore subject to change. Please reach out to any of the elders if you have any questions or concerns about anything below.  

General Principle: You should stay home for 14 days after your last close contact with a person who has Covid-19.  

What counts as close contact?

  • You were within 6 feet of someone without a mask who has Covid-19 for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period
  • You provided care at home to someone who is sick with Covid-19
  • You had direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them)
  • You shared eating or drinking utensils
  • They sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you

 

Different Types of Exposure

In addition to the general principle stated above, the elders believe it's helpful to distinguish between different types of exposure to Covid-19. We've separated these into three categories: Confirmed Exposure, Probable Exposure, and Possible Exposure. Each type of exposure leaves the exposed with different responsibilities.  

 

Confirmed Exposure: you were in close contact with someone who is confirmed positive for Covid-19.

  • What to Do: You should begin self-quarantining for 14 days after your last close contact with the person who has confirmed positive for Covid-19. During this time you should watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of Covid-19.
  • Who to Inform: Everyone you have been in close contact with since your confirmed exposure should be informed that they (a) have probably been exposed to Covid-19 if you begin showing symptoms, or (b) have possibly been exposed to Covid-19 if you do not show symptoms . If you are able to be tested, please also inform those individuals of the results of your test.  

 

Probable Exposure: you were in close contact with someone who is probably positive for Covid-19

For example, they had been in close contact with a confirmed positive individual, are showing symptoms, but are awaiting test results.

  • What to Do: You should begin self-quarantining until the probable exposure has been ruled out, you have tested negative for Covid-19, or fourteen days have passed. During this time you should watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of Covid-19.
  • Who to Inform: Everyone you have been in close contact with since your probable exposure should be informed that they have been possibly exposed to Covid-19.  

 

Possible Exposure: you were in close contact with someone who is possibly positive for Covid-19 

For example, they had been in close contact with a probably positive individual as explained above. Usually this means there is at least two degrees of separation between the confirmed exposure and you).

  • What to Do: This is where wisdom and prudence are extremely helpful. At the very least, you should watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of Covid-19. If you are highly cautious, you may choose to self-quarantine for a few days until the possible exposure has been downgraded to a non-exposure or upgraded to a probable/confirmed exposure.
  • Who to Inform: Again, wisdom and prudence are extremely helpful here. Technically speaking, every one of us has a possible exposure every time we're around another person without a mask for more than 15 minutes. When in doubt, feel free to talk with one of the elders and we will do our best to help you think through best next steps.