What to do when you test positive for Covid-19

Bonnie Whiffler, Marketing and Communications and Dr Sahid, Glynwood Infectious Diseases specialist of Life the Glynnwood and Life Glynnview has kindly shared with the City Times the immediate steps one should take after finding out they have contracted Covid-19.

• You will need to isolate yourself at home. Do not go to work.

• Avoid close interactions with those at home with you. Preferably stay in a room to minimise the spread of the virus to those with who you live. If you cannot do so, it is safer to have those isolated with you.

• Clean your hands with soap and water frequently. Alcohol-based sanitisers may also be used, provided they contain at least 60% alcohol.

• Do not have visitors in your home. Only those who live in your home should be allowed to stay. If it is urgent to speak to someone who is not a member of your household, do this over the phone.

ALSO READ: Five things you need to know about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine

• You should wear a face mask when in the same room as other people.

• At home, you should stay in a specific room and use your own bathroom (if possible) – to avoid spreading the virus to those around you. If you live in shared accommodation with a communal kitchen, bathroom(s) and living area, you should stay in your room with the door closed, only coming out when necessary, wearing a facemask.

• You should practice good cough and sneeze hygiene by coughing or sneezing into a tissue, discarding the tissue immediately afterwards in a lined trash can, and then wash your hands immediately. Alternatively, you can cough into your flexed elbow.

• If you need to wash laundry at home, wash all laundry at the highest temperature compatible with the fabric using laundry detergent. This should be above 60 °C, if possible, tumble dry and iron using the highest setting compatible with the fabric.

• Wear disposable gloves and a plastic apron when handling soiled materials if possible and clean all surfaces and the area around the washing machine. Do not take laundry to a laundrette. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling dirty laundry (remove gloves first if used).

• You should avoid sharing household items like dishes, cups, eating utensils and towels. After using any of these, the items should be thoroughly washed with soap and water.

• All high-touch surfaces like tabletops, counters, toilets, phones, computers etc. that you may have touched should be appropriately and frequently cleaned.

• Monitor your symptoms – seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening, for example, if you have difficulty breathing or if the person you are caring for symptoms are worsening.

ALSO READ: Vaccine produces immune response

How does one know when they are fully recovered from Covid?

The general rule is that a person is no longer contagious 10 days after the onset of symptoms.

However, should the symptoms persist past this time, patients are encouraged to remain in isolation till the symptoms have subsided PLUS another three days thereafter.

Some patients are known to have developed “long Covid”. They should seek treatment from their doctor.