COVID-19 FAQ & RESOURCES

What to do if you test positive for COVID-19.

What you can do if you were exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

When to start and end isolation for the CDC.

Contact tracing has been used for decades by state and local health departments to slow or stop the spread of infectious diseases.

Contact tracing slows the spread of COVID-19 by:

• Letting people know they may have been exposed to COVID-19 and should monitor their health for signs and symptoms of COVID-19
• Helping people who may have been exposed to COVID-19 get tested
• Asking people to self-isolate if they have COVID-19 or self-quarantine if they are a close contact of someone with COVID-19

During contact tracing, the health department staff will not ask you for

• Money
• Social Security number
• Bank account information
• Salary information
• Credit card numbers

Phone Calls:

It is very important that you reply to calls to the public health office.  In order to do contact tracing, they often leave a message and wait for you to call back.

When you talk with public health officials, they will help you obtain workplace protections for the time you must take off if you have a positive COVID test or are a close contact and need to quarantine.

Please call the public health office in Johnson County if you have questions or need to report a contact or positive COVID test at the number below:

JC Public Health Emergency Operations Center:  307-425-6560

For much more information about Contact Tracing, click here:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#If-You-or-Someone-You-Know-is-Sick-or-Had-Contact-with-Someone-who-Has-COVID-19

Contact Tracing CDC

How to Protect Yourself and Others

Know how it spreads
• The best way to prevent getting COVID-19 and spreading COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are available at The Family Medical Center for those 5 and older. Call the clinic at 684-2228 to receive a vaccine.
• The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
• The virus is thought to spread mainly through droplets from person-to-person.
- Droplets spread between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Viral spread is through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
- These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
- Some recent studies show that COVID-19 is spread by people who
are not showing symptoms.

Everyone should
Clean your hands often

• 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. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Stay at home as much as possible.

• Put a distance of 6 feet between yourself and other people. ( If you reach out your arm, and the person with you reaches out their arm, and they don't touch - that is a good approximation of 6 feet.)

- Remember that people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus.
- This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

• You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
• Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public.
- Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

• The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected, but not yet showing symptoms.  While masks do protect you from droplet spread, they are not fail-safe protection.  the purpose is to keep the spread from person to person at a minimum.

• Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.  Distancing together with masks, handwashing/sanitizing has been shown to be our best weapons against COVID-19 until we have a vaccine available.

Cover coughs and sneezes

• If you are in a private setting and do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.

• Throw used tissues in the trash.

• Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that
contains at least 60% alcohol.

Clean and disinfect

• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets,
faucets, and sinks. Covid does live on surfaces, and if you place your hand on a viral droplet left there by someone else, and then touch your eye or nose - the virus has access to you.

• If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

More Information

You can reduce your chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19 by taking some simple precautions:

Get vaccinated.
The COVID-19 vaccine is available for those 5 years old and older. Call The Family Medical Center at 684-2228 to receive a vaccine.

Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.

Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.

Maintain at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

Why? When someone laughs, sings, talks, coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.  Even people without symptoms may have COVID-19.  That is why it is important to social distance even if neither of you appears sick.

Wear a mask when out in public until restrictions ease.

Why?

“We now know from recent studies that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms (“asymptomatic”) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms (“pre-symptomatic”) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms,” according to the advisory published by the CDC. “This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity — for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing — even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms.”

“In light of this evidence, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission,” the advisory stated.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose, or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.

Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene.

This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately, and wash your hands.

Why? Droplets spread viruses. By following good respiratory hygiene, you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu, and COVID-19.

Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention, and call in advance.

Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent the spread of viruses and other infections.

Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow the advice given by your health care provider, your national and local public health authority, or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.  CDC.GOV

Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on whether COVID-19 is spreading in your area. They are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are...

• People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

  This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update the list as we learn more about COVID-19.

These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don't feel unwell. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. About one in every five people who contract it need hospital care. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.

If you have upper respiratory symptoms (cough, fever, or shortness of breath) and believe you need to be evaluated for COVID-19–please call and visit with a provider.

Prevent COVID-19 Spread to Others if You are Sick

• If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have it, take steps to help protect other people from getting sick:
• Stay home except to get medical care.
• Call the doctor before visiting.
• Separate yourself from others who live with you.
• Wear a mask to protect others.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and clean your hands right away.
• Avoid sharing items with other people in your home. This includes things like towels and bedding. Be sure dishes are washed in hot water or the dishwasher before anyone else uses them.
• Stay aware of how you feel. If you start to have difficulty breathing or if you are worried about your
  health, call your doctor.

What should I do while I am waiting?

It can take some time to get results or to hear from Public Health experts if you were exposed.  What can you do while you are waiting?

• Stay home from work and school
• Monitor your symptoms
• Get rest and stay hydrated
• Call your doctor
• Cover your nose and mouth with a mask
• Wash your hands often or hand sanitize
• Stay away from other people
• Clean all surfaces that are touched often.
• If you know that you have been a close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, call your public health department for more guidance.

Not everyone needs to be tested for COVID-19. If you are sick with fever, cough or shortness of breath and in a high-risk group, call your health care provider to discuss whether you should be tested for COVID-19.

People at high risk for complications from COVID-19 are:

• People older than 60
• People with chronic medical conditions
• People with compromised immune systems
• Those who are pregnant

• The virus can spread from person-to-person through small droplets from the nose or mouth when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person.
• Other people may contract COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. People can also be exposed to COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets.
• This is why it is important to stay 6 feet away from a person who is sick. And social distancing by staying 6 ft. from others while in public is also recommended, since the virus can spread even before a person knows that they are sick.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is assessing ongoing research on the ways COVID-19 is spread and will continue to share updated findings.

If you have upper respiratory symptoms – cough, fever or shortness of breath and believe you need to be evaluated for COVID-19 – please call your healthcare provider.

JCHC now has the ability to do PCR testing, and also Rapid PCR testing.  Call your healthcare provider to learn if you need to be tested.

Tests are generally being run and returned to us by the State labs within 48 hours of taking a sample.

Multiple COVID-19 tests are on the market today, and it can be a little confusing when trying to determine which test you should take. The good news is that getting a COVID test is easier than ever.

Members of the public should take a COVID-19 test if they have COVID-19 symptoms like a fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, loss of taste or smell; and at least five days after they come into close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

Detection of the newest COVID variant in the area, omicron, is most accurate with a PCR test but not until three to five days after symptom onset. Studies show that antigen tests can give false negative results (approximately 30%).

Here’s a list of tests that are available, and what you should do when you receive your results.

Antigen
How is the test administered? Nasal swab
Where to go one: Rapid antigen tests are available through the federal government. You can order four free at-home COVID-19 tests per household. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Tests can be ordered at www.covidtests.gov/ or by calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489). Antigen tests (that you do at home) are also available at Corner Stone Pharmacy and Buffalo Prescription Shop, both located in Buffalo. A flu/antigen combination test is also available at Buffalo Urgent Care, along with a stand-alone antigen test. 
How long until I get my results? Antigen test results are available within 15-30 minutes. No lab drop-off is required. 
What to do if you get a negative test: If you test negative using an antigen test, but have COVID-19 symptoms, stay home and isolate. We also recommend taking another test at least 24 hours after the first. You can also follow up with a PCR test at a local facility.

PCR
How is the test administered? Nasopharyngeal (deeper nasal) swab
Where to get one: PCR tests are administered locally at The Family Medical Center, 307-684-2228; Buffalo Urgent Care, 307-278-0280; and Big Horn Pediatric & Family Medicine, 307-620-8845. Buffalo Urgent care also offers PCR test alternatives. 
How long until I get my results? Typically, PCR test results are available within several hours. It’s possible you won’t receive your results until the next day if the test is administered in the afternoon. 
What to do if you get a negative test: If you have symptoms, stay home until those symptoms are resolving, then wear a mask in public for 10 full days from symptom onset.

VAULT 
Vault tests, like a PCR, are molecular tests and detect the virus that causes COVID-19, though they are administered differently.
How is the test administered? Saliva sample 
Where to get one: Free Vault tests are available to all Wyoming residents at www.vaulthealth.com/covid. The kit will be shipped directly to your residence. You collect a sample during a telehealth visit, so you must have an internet connection to complete this process. 
How long until I get my results? Results are typically available within 48 hours from when samples are received. 
What to do if you get a negative test: If you have symptoms, stay home until those symptoms are resolving, then wear a mask in public for 10 full days from symptom onset.

What to do if you test positive with any test: If you test positive, stay home for at least five days and isolate from others in your home. Wear a well-fitted mask if you must be around others in your home. You can end isolation after five days if you are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your symptoms are improving. Wear a well-fitted mask for 10 full days any time you are around others.

As always, stay home if you are sick. COVID-19 vaccines are available locally at multiple locations, including Corner Stone Pharmacy (Moderna walk-in), 307-620-7071; Buffalo Prescription Shop (Moderna by appointment), 307-684-7003; Johnson County Public Health (Moderna & Pfizer by appointment), 307-684-2564; The Family Medical Center (Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson by appointment), 307-684-2228; and Big Horn Pediatrics and Family Medicine (Moderna by appointment), 307-620-8845.