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If You Have Symptoms

These guidelines follow and are updated regularly to reflect the most current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Iowa Department of Public Health and Dubuque County Public Health Department.

For a guide to how quarantine or isolation days are calculated, also see COVID-19 Quarantine + Isolation Guidance (PDF).

I HAVE SYMPTOMS:
STAY HOME AND CONTACT A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER

IF ALTERNATIVE DIAGNOSIS by a licensed medical healthcare provider >>

Students:

    • provide school with alternative diagnosis from healthcare provider

Staff:

    • follow normal sick leave procedure

RETURN after BOTH of the following are true:

Student and Staff: 

    • fever free for 24 hours (one full day) without fever reducing medication
    • symptoms have improved

IF NO EVALUATION by a licensed medical healthcare provider >> SELF-ISOLATE for 10 calendar days following the onset of symptoms

Students:

    • notify school of reason for absence
    • the district recommends seeing a healthcare provider to obtain a medical diagnosis

Staff:

    • follow normal sick leave procedure

RETURN after ALL three of the following are true:

Student and Staff: 

    • fever free for 24 hours (one full day) without fever-reducing medication
    • symptoms have improved
    • 10 days since symptoms first appeared

I WAS TESTED:
STAY HOME UNTIL YOU RECEIVE RESULTS

IF NEGATIVE RESULT WITH EXPOSURE (see close contact definition below) >>

Students:

    • provide school with test result

Staff:

ALSO SEE I WAS EXPOSED STEPS BELOW

IF NEGATIVE RESULT WITHOUT EXPOSURE (see close contact definition below) >>

Students:

    • provide school with test result

Staff:

RETURN after BOTH of the following are true:

Student and Staff: 

    • fever free for 24 hours (one full day) without fever reducing medication
    • symptoms have improved

IF POSITIVE RESULT >> SELF-ISOLATE for 10 calendar days following the onset of symptoms OR 10 calendar days from the date the positive test was administered if the individual is asymptomatic

Students:

    • provide school with test result

Staff:

RETURN after ALL THREE of the following are true:

Student and Staff: 

    • fever free for 24 hours (one full day) without fever-reducing medication
    • symptoms have improved OR continue to have no symptoms if asymptomatic
    • 10 days since symptoms first appeared OR 10 days since the date the positive test was administered if asymptomatic

I WAS EXPOSED:

IF EXPOSED >> SELF-QUARANTINE for 10 days after last exposure to positive case per guidance from the Iowa Department of Public Health

Students and Staff:

    • if symptoms develop within the 10 days, contact your healthcare provider (ALSO SEE I HAVE SYMPTOMS STEPS ABOVE)

RETURN after the following is true:

Student and Staff: 

    • 10 days since last exposure to positive case
      NOTE: If an individual receives a negative COVID-19 test administered on day 5 of their quarantine or later AND remains without symptoms, they may return to school or work on day 8 with appropriate documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between quarantine and isolation?

  • Quarantine keeps someone who was in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 away from others.
  • Isolation keeps someone who is sick or tested positive for COVID-19 without symptoms away from others, even in their own home.

What is considered a close contact?

  • Close contact is defined as being within six feet or closer to a positive or symptomatic COVID-19 case during the infected period for 15 minutes or longer.

What happens if someone is re-exposed?

  • Based on guidance from the Iowa Department of Public Health, individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 12 weeks and have since recovered and remain asymptomatic are not required to quarantine or retest.
    • Documentation or official notification of the confirmed COVID-19 positive test within the previous 12 weeks will be required.
    • If new symptoms consistent with COVID-19 develop, the individual will be required to isolate for 10 days and should be clinically evaluated as appropriate.

Resources

Examine Your Health