This Version Posted: June 3, 2022
Learn what to do if you have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 or has symptoms.
What to Do if You Live With an Individual with COVID-19 Symptoms
What to Do if You Are a Close Contact of a COVID-19 Case But Do Not Live in the Same Household
If you’ve been exposed to someone from another household with symptoms of COVID-19 or who has tested positive for COVID-19, you do not need to isolate (regardless of your vaccination status). However, for 10 days after exposure, you should:
- Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms.
- Wear a mask and avoid activities where removing a mask would be necessary (like dining out).
- Do not visit anyone who is at higher risk of illness (like seniors).
- Do not visit or attend work in high-risk settings (like hospitals and long-term care homes) unless you have previously tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days.
Close Contacts vs. High-Risk Contacts
Close Contacts
When it comes to potential exposure to a COVID-19 case, you are considered a close contact if:
- You were within 2 metres (6 feet) for a prolonged period of time (at least 15 minutes, or multiple shorter lengths of time)
- You had multiple close encounters with someone
- You had close personal contact with the person, such as a hug, handshake or massage.
- You live or provide care in the same home
You are not considered a close contact if:
- You had a brief close contact while wearing a mask and/or with a barrier in place
- You passed someone quickly
- You greeted someone and kept your distance
- You made a delivery to someone who was self-isolating, but had no contact with them.
High-Risk Contact
- A high-risk contact is someone who had close contact (see above) with a positive case during their contagious period.
- People can be contagious with COVID-19 for 48 hours before their symptoms start. If they did not have symptoms, their contagious period is considered to be 48 hours before their positive test result (whichever came first).
Additional Resources:
- What to Do if You Have COVID-19 Symptoms or Tested Positive for the Virus – HKPR District Health Unit
- What to do if You have been Exposed to COVID-19 – Province of Ontario
- Provincial Testing and Isolation Information Line – Government of Ontario
- Call this toll-free line at 1-888-777-0730 to ask questions and get information on COVID-19 testing, self-isolating rules, and what to do if you were exposed to someone with COVID-19. Assistance is available Mondays to Sundays from 8 am to 6 pm.
- COVID-19 Integrated Testing and Case, Contact and Outbreak Management Interim Guidance: Omicron Surge – Ministry of Health (March 9/22)
- Who is a Close Contact? – Ottawa Public Health
Questions? Submit a question through the Health Unit’s Click and Connect.