Martin Grosz
04/06/2021 6:00 AM
Clarín.com
Services
Updated 04/06/2021 6:00 AM
The second wave of coronavirus was unleashed, the infections grow strong and with them
the doubts
of family, friends and co-workers about what to do if someone close to them becomes ill and tests positive.
In these situations, the key is to know what is meant today by having had "
close contact
" with an infected person.
This concept, which underwent changes and redefinitions during the pandemic, is crucial because it is the one that will determine who can continue their life normally and who remains
n
forced to isolate themselves
in their homes for several days.
Is it enough, for example, to have had a brief elevator talk with a infected person to consider that there was a "close contact"?
Or having lunch at the same table while asymptomatic?
Which
coworkers
should isolate themselves and which shouldn't?
Are they also "close contacts" those who were close not to the confirmed case but to someone who lives with who was infected?
Neighbors with symptoms queue to be tested, this Monday, at the Santojanni Hospital.
If they test positive, their "tight contacts" should be isolated.
Photo Juan Manuel Foglia
All the answers are contained in
the protocols
, which give great importance to the circumstances of the approach with the person who later turned out to be infected:
-
When was
the contact.
It must have occurred while the person had a chance to infect.
-
Where was
the contact.
It is not the same if it happened outdoors or in a closed and poorly ventilated place.
-
How was
the contact.
How far away they were and whether or not they were wearing the mask.
-
How long
the contact
lasted
.
The more minutes, the greater the chances of contagion.
What is the definition of "close contact" today?
The Ministry of Health of the Nation considers as "close contact":
-Any person who has been at the least
15 minutes
to
less than two meters
from one case
confirmed
without protection measures (such as tapaboca or face shield), either while the infected had any symptoms or within
48 hours prior
to the start of the symptoms.
-Anyone who has been
caring
for a confirmed case,
without protective measures
, either while the infected had any symptoms or within 48 hours prior to the onset of symptoms.
The use of masks and face shields reduces the chances of contagion and allows in certain circumstances not to be considered "close contact".
Photo: Lucia Merle
In addition, in
popular neighborhoods
or closed institutions and long-term
hospitalization
(such as
nursing homes
), the definition of close contact is extended to:
-Who shared a room, bathroom or kitchen with a confirmed case.
-Who was in a community center (dining room, club, parish, etc.), for at least 15 minutes, less than two meters from a confirmed case while he had symptoms.
And, in the case
of health personnel
, there are particular conditions, linked to the incorrect use or absence of protective equipment during the care of infected patients.
Is it "close contact" who traveled in the same means of transport as a positive case?
In
airplanes and buses
, Health considers as "close contacts" only the passengers who are within
a radius of two seats
around the confirmed case, and also the crew who have had contact with the infected person.
With
boats
the criterion is different.
Directly "all the people who shared a ship trip with confirmed cases" are his "close contacts".
Is it "close contact" just because you have been close to an asymptomatic "close contact"?
No. There are no "close contacts" of "close contacts".
The relationship must be direct.
If person A tests positive and person B, because he lives with A, is considered his "close contact", a person C who works with B but had no contact with A does not have the duty to isolate himself.
Following the example, C would only become "close contact" if B tested positive and if all other conditions had also been met (physical closeness for more than 15 minutes, lack of a mask, etc.).
If an infected person traveled by bus, "close contacts" are all those who were up to two seats apart.
Photo: Luciano Thieberger
How and for how long should "tight contacts" be isolated?
These people are obliged to carry out a
strict
quarantine
: to stay in their home separated from the partners or, if they do not have space for that, in a hotel or an isolation center.
And notify the doctor if symptoms appear.
To the extent that symptoms do not appear, this must be fulfilled for
10 days
, which are counted from the last contact with the infected person.
From day 11 you can go out again without having to take a test, although until day 14 it is recommended to take maximum precautions.
In addition, to
shorten the times
and remove the doubt, from
day 7
the "close contacts" can be tested.
Why not before?
Because from day 1 to 6 it may happen that the virus is in the body and the test fails to detect it.
In the City of Buenos Aires, for example, "close contacts" can undergo
saliva PCR tests for
free
by
visiting
the
DetectAr
program
booths
(for more details, read this note).
v 1.5
Where do they do the saliva tests
Tap to explore the data
Source:
GCBA
Infographic:
Clarín
While isolated, "close contacts" are advised not to share personal items (such as plates, glasses, cutlery and towels) and to sanitize them very well, wash their hands a lot, and keep the house ventilated.
What should a person who had close contact with a suspicious case, not yet confirmed, do?
As it arises from the definition of the Ministry of Health of the Nation, it is "close contact" from the moment the case is confirmed.
If the person
has symptoms
and has not been tested yet or is waiting for the result, not yet.
It's just a suspect case, possible.
However, out of
caution and common sense
, many companies ask those living with a suspected case not to go to work.
And it is advisable to take extreme social distance and other care.
Should vaccinates also be isolated if they had "close contact"?
Yes. So far no exception has been admitted because, as the case of Alberto Fernández made clear, those vaccinated can also contract the infection and no one guarantees that they cannot transmit it to other people.
MG
Look also
Covid-19 test: how and where to do it for free in the City if symptoms appear or there was close contact
Coronavirus tests: the ABC of each method and how much does it cost to do them privately