How COVID Spreads
Over the past year, we have come to understand that the virus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, spreads mainly from person to person, typically through respiratory droplets when someone who has the virus coughs, sneezes, or talks. When people find out they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, many are eager to rush off and get tested. However, testing for COVID-19 is not that simple. Here is a story that illustrates how COVID-19 is spreading in our community:
Jack went to a dinner with five friends at Heather’s house on Sunday. Although everyone felt fine at the time of the gathering, on Monday, Heather learned she had COVID-19. She quickly called Jack and the other attendees to let them know they had been exposed. On Tuesday, Jack registered for a COVID-19 test. When he was called with his results Thursday morning, he was relieved to learn he had tested negative. He left for work and a prayer circle meeting. On Friday, he went to work but by mid-day he felt very fatigued and thought his allergies were acting up, but did not have a fever. He called his physician, who asked him to take another test, and sure enough, this test came back positive for COVID-19. How could this be?
- It takes time for the virus to build in the body – the average onset of symptoms is five days after exposure, but it could be 2-14 days after exposure.
- Guests felt safe at the gathering in the comfort of Heather’s home, so they did not wear masks or social distance.
- Jack was likely infectious as early as Wednesday – two days before he fell ill. He is likely to have exposed his family members at home, his co-workers, and anyone else he was around within six feet for fifteen minutes or more.
By the following week, two co-workers, three members of Jack’s prayer circle, and Jack’s spouse and kids all tested positive for COVID-19. Now we have to consider all the people exposed to these eight people in the two days before they fell ill.
Here are some ways that our COVID-19 guidance would have decreased the disease spread in this story.
- The gathering at Heather’s house on Sunday should have been virtual or outdoors.
- Attendees should have worn masks and practiced social distancing. These steps would have helped to prevent Heather from passing COVID-19 to Jack.
- When Heather called to say she was positive, Jack and the other guests should have immediately begun a 14-day quarantine and monitored their symptoms. Jack’s at-home quarantine would have prevented exposure to others at work and prayer circle in the two days before he displayed symptoms.
- Jack’s COVID-19 test just 3 days after his exposure to Heather was too soon. We recommend waiting 7-8 days after exposure to be tested. Even with a negative test, Jack should have continued his full 14-day quarantine and monitored himself for symptoms. A negative test does not release you from quarantine.
Fighting this pandemic requires all of us to stay engaged. Thank you for your cooperation in the public health guidance that keeps us all safe!
