Clinicians should use their judgment. Most patients with COVID-19 have fever and/or cough or difficulty breathing.
Priority may be given to:
Hospitalized patients who have signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19 in order to inform decisions related to infection control precautions.
Symptomatic patients such as, older adults and individuals with chronic medical conditions and/or an immunocompromised state (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, receiving immunosuppressive medications, chronic lung disease, chronic kidney disease).
Any persons including healthcare personnel, who within 14 days of symptom onset had close contact with a suspect or laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patient, or who have a history of travel from affected geographic areas within 14 days of their symptom onset.
Person Under Investigation (PUI)
Close contact is defined as—
a) being within approximately 6 feet (2 meters) of a COVID-19 case for a prolonged period of time; close contact can occur while caring for, living with, visiting, or sharing a healthcare waiting area or room with a COVID-19 case
– or –
b) having direct contact with infectious secretions of a COVID-19 case (e.g., being coughed on)
If such contact occurs while not wearing recommended personal protective equipment or PPE (e.g., gowns, gloves, NIOSH-certified disposable N95 respirator, eye protection), criteria for PUI consideration are met.
Home Isolation
The patient is stable enough to receive care at home.
Separate bedroom (bathroom recommended), access to food and other necessities. Appropriate caregivers.
The patient and other household members must have access to PPE (minimum gloves and facemask) and are capable of adhering to precautions (e.g., respiratory hygiene, cough etiquette, hand hygiene);
Consider at-risk populations in home (people >65 years old, young children, pregnant women, immunocompromised, chronic heart, lung, or kidney Dx).
Provide Guidance for Precautions to Implement during Home Care
A healthcare professional should
Provide CDC’s Interim Guidance for Preventing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) from Spreading to Others in Homes and Communities to the patient, caregiver, and household members; and
Contact their state or local health department to discuss criteria for discontinuing any such measures. Check available hours when contacting local health departments.
