Caring for a Person with Covid-19
If someone in your household tests positive for COVID-19, it's important to take precautions so that the virus doesn't spread to others. Someone who is positive for COVID-19 may or may not have symptoms, but either way they can still pass the virus on and infect others.
Here’s what to do to reduce chances of getting infected:
- Isolate the person who is positive for COVID-19. Have them stay in a separate room as much as possible. Also, if possible have them use a separate bathroom. Don’t share items like towels, bedding, dishes, glasses, eating utensils, and electronics.
- Open windows to bring in fresh air and keep the indoor air circulating.
- If the person is sick, try to have just one other household member care for the sick individual. Designate a caretaker who is at low risk of serious illness in case they become infected.
- Make sure the person who is positive for COVID-19 wears a facemask (cloth face covering) anytime they are around others. Others in the household can also wear facemasks when they are around the COVID-19 positive person.
- Maintain at least 6 feet of distance between household members.
- Everyone in the household should wash their hands often or use hand sanitizer often.
- Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces and items every day. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks, and electronics. First use soap and water, then use an EPA-registered disinfectant.
- Wash dishes with hot water and wear gloves.
- Wash and dry laundry on hot if possible. Wear disposable gloves when handling dirty laundry, then dispose of the gloves and wash hands.
- If possible, have a separate trash can for the infected person. Make sure you use a disposable trash bag or liner in this can and wear gloves when removing the trash bag and putting on a new one.
- Do not have visitors come into the house.
- Monitor symptoms of all household members.
- If infected person is sick, make sure you monitor their symptoms and seek medical care if they are getting sicker.
- For more detailed information, please see the links below.
Links:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/care-for-someone.html
https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2-covid-19