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When a person you live with is diagnosed with COVID-19, or is strongly suspected to have it (e.g., if they are waiting for test results), you now face a crucial task: looking after them while minimizing the risk of spreading the virus to yourself or others. Here's what you need to do once you receive the diagnosis.
Assess how well you can isolate the infected person from others.
If possible, give the sick person their own private bedroom and bathroom. If you have a guest room or multiple bedrooms where you can rearrange sleeping arrangements, that would be the best option.
For more information on disinfecting your home, watch the video below:
Even if space is limited, explore your options. If you typically share a bed with the sick person, perhaps one of you can sleep on the couch. Keep personal items separated as much as possible: avoid sharing utensils, toiletries, bedding, or other personal items. The CDC’s guidelines for people living in close quarters also suggest that you should not eat together.
Is it advisable for healthy individuals to leave the apartment if possible? Jose Torradas, an emergency medicine physician and spokesperson for the American College of Emergency Physicians, which has recently released a free course on managing COVID at home, says this is a complex question. Someone at high risk (such as an elderly person with COPD) may be better off staying with friends or family for a while, but this also presents the risk of unintentionally spreading the virus to those they stay with.
Appoint a designated point person
If multiple people are in your household, assign one person to be the primary caregiver for the sick individual. (Again, if someone is at higher risk, they should not take on this responsibility.)
As the primary caregiver, you'll be responsible for attending to the sick person's needs, whether that's preparing meals, doing laundry, or cleaning up after them. This helps reduce the chances of spreading illness to others in the household.
Ensure the person maintains connections with others, even if it's from a distance.
Though it's important to follow safety precautions, isolation can be hard for someone who's sick. While direct visitors aren’t advisable, you can create a space for them to stay in touch through digital means. Provide them with a phone or device so they can FaceTime or chat with family and friends, whether inside or outside the home.
Dr. Torradas emphasizes the role of communication in supporting mental well-being. Plus, regular check-ins can help others spot warning signs, such as unusual fatigue or shortness of breath, that might signal the need for additional help.
Be prepared by gathering all the necessary supplies in advance.
The fewer times you need to visit stores, the better. Here's a list of essential items to stock up on:
Disinfectants and bleach for cleaning surfaces
Soap and hand sanitizer to maintain hand hygiene
A thermometer for checking temperatures
Fever reducers like Tylenol, if needed
Additional masks, if your supply is low
There’s some debate among medical professionals about whether a pulse oximeter is essential. This device clips onto your finger and uses light to measure oxygen levels in your blood. Dr. Torradas suggests having one, as some COVID-19 patients may experience dangerously low oxygen levels without showing signs like shortness of breath. If you use one, it's best to consult your doctor about how to interpret the readings.
Take steps to reduce the chances of spreading the virus.
Although many COVID-19 transmissions occur within households, Dr. Torradas highlights examples where families successfully prevented the spread by following strict precautions. So, making an extra effort to minimize transmission risk can be beneficial.
The primary way (though not the only way) the coronavirus spreads is through respiratory droplets. In other words, when someone breathes, shouts, or coughs near you. You can lower the risk by taking these precautions:
Maintain a six-foot distance.
Open a window or, if possible, spend time outside.
Wearing masks helps. Both the infected individual and others in the household should wear masks when in close contact.
A plastic face shield can provide added protection by blocking droplets from reaching your face, including your eyes. Use one if available.
The virus may also spread through contact with contaminated surfaces, so to avoid that risk:
Wear gloves or wash your hands frequently after touching the sick person’s belongings, or after handling their laundry or cleaning up.
Consider wearing protective clothing, like a plastic poncho, when interacting with them to avoid droplets from landing on your clothes.
Disinfect surfaces frequently touched by the sick person, such as doorknobs and countertops.
Help the sick person monitor and track their symptoms.
A mild case of COVID-19 generally requires care similar to that of a cold or flu. However, COVID-19 can escalate to severe or even life-threatening symptoms, so it's crucial to monitor their health closely.
Keep a record of symptoms to help provide accurate information if medical care becomes necessary—such as the date when symptoms first appeared.
Be on the lookout for signs that the person may require emergency medical attention. According to the CDC, these warning signs include:
Difficulty breathing
Continuous chest pain or pressure
New confusion
Difficulty staying awake or waking up
Bluish tint to lips or face
If possible, always call ahead before bringing a COVID-19 patient to the hospital.
Follow the current guidelines for home isolation as instructed. If your healthcare provider hasn’t provided specific directions, you can refer to the CDC’s guidelines on when to end home isolation. As of now, a sick individual can end isolation three days after their fever subsides, provided they no longer have symptoms, and at least ten days have passed since the onset of symptoms. A healthy caregiver should remain at home for 14 days following their first exposure to the virus.
