Find answers to some of the common questions we all have while we continue the course to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Shelby County Health Department is committed to providing our community with the most accurate information about COVID-19.
For answers to specific questions, call the Shelby County Health Department COVID-19 Call Center at 901-222-MASK (6275).
General Information
My child is fully vaccinated, asymptomatic, and has had a close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in school. Does my vaccinated child have to quarantine and miss in-person learning?
No. Any child who is fully vaccinated and symptom-free does not need to quarantine if they have had close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. The child should get tested within 5 days of the contact with the positive case.
SCHD recommends that a close contact, fully-vaccinated child with symptoms should do the following:
- Quarantine for 7 days and get tested immediately;
- If that test is negative, the child should get tested again on the 5th day of quarantine; and
- If the second test is negative, the child may return to school on the 8th
Can I get a COVID-19 test in Shelby County?
Yes. If you suspect that you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and are experiencing mild to moderate symptoms, please call your healthcare provider or search for a free testing site to make an appointment.
Do call a doctor’s office or healthcare center for COVID-19 testing prior to arriving to confirm whether you need an appointment. If you intend to visit an emergency department for testing or treatment do call ahead to notify them first.
Can you have Coronavirus if you don't feel sick?
Yes. COVID-19 can be spread by asymptomatic people — those who do not have symptoms and may not even know that they are infected. That’s why it’s important for everyone to wear masks in public settings and practice social distancing (staying at least 6 feet away from other people).
Why is it important to social-distance from others?
COVID-19 spreads when an infected person breathes out droplets and very small particles that contain the virus. These droplets and particles can be breathed in by other people or land on their eyes, noses, or mouth. In some circumstances, they may contaminate surfaces they touch. People who are closer than 6 feet from the infected person are most likely to get infected.
COVID-19 is spread in three main ways:
- Breathing in air when close to an infected person who is exhaling small droplets and particles that contain the virus.
- Having these small droplets and particles that contain virus land on the eyes, nose, or mouth, especially through splashes and sprays like a cough or sneeze.
- Touching eyes, nose, or mouth with hands that have the virus on them.
- Protect yourself by:
- Staying at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from other people.
- Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
What does "comorbidities" mean?
People with certain medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease and respiratory illness have an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. When an individual with any of these underlying conditions contracts COVID-19, their preexisting condition, or “comorbidity,” increases the chances of severe symptoms and even death.
In Shelby County, 94% of deaths related to COVID-19 have had a preexisting condition — or comorbidity. People of any age with the following conditions are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19:
- Heart Conditions
- Diabetes
- Respiratory illness like COPD
- Obesity
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- Sickle Cell disease
- Immunocompromised patients (weakened immune system)
Learn more at cdc.gov
What COVID-19 treatment is available for people with risk factors?
An effective early treatment is now available for persons who test positive and have the following risk factors:
- Anyone over age 12 with obesity, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, or whose immunity is compromised by disease or prescription treatments.
- Anyone age 12-17 with sickle cell disease; neuromuscular disorder; dependence on medical intervention, such as a breathing or feeding tube; or a lung disorder such as asthma that requires daily medication.
- Anyone over age 55 with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, COPD or other chronic respiratory disease.
- Anyone over age 65.
If you test positive, and have any of these risk factors, ask your health care provider about early COVID-19 treatments.
I have tested positive for COVID-19. How long should I be in isolation?
Regardless of vaccination status, you should:
- You should isolate if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results.
- Stay home for 5 days.
- If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house.
- Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
- If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.
- If after 5 days you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication, and your symptoms are improving, or you never had symptoms, you may end isolation after day 5.
- Regardless of when you end isolation, avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 until at least day 11.
- If your COVID-19 symptoms worsen, restart your isolation at day 0.
- If you had severe illness or have a weakened immune system, consult your doctor before ending isolation. Ending isolation without a viral test may not be an option for you.
For more information: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-guidance.html
If you are unsure if your symptoms are moderate or severe or if you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider for further guidance.
Variants
What are the major COVID-19 variants of concern?
As the COVID-19 virus spread around the world it has mutated into several variants. Multiple mutant versions (variants) of the virus have been identified, and each mutant is slightly different from the others. The major variants of concern include:
- Alpha – B.1.1.7 (Variant first identified in the United Kingdom (UK))
- Beta B.1.351 – (Variant first identified in South Africa)
- Gamma – P.1 (Variant first identified in Brazil)
- Delta – B.1.617.2 (Variant first identified in India)
- Omicron – B.1.1.529 (Variant first identified in South Africa)
What is the Omicron variant?
The Omicron variant is the latest strain of the COVID-19 virus. The variant was identified in November 2021 and has now been detected in many nations, including the United States.
What is the Delta variant?
The Delta variant is currently the predominant strain of the virus in the United States. According to the CDC, some data suggest the Delta variant is more easily transmitted from person to person and it may cause more severe illness than previous strains in unvaccinated persons.
How transmissible is the Omicron variant?
Right now, it is not yet clear whether Omicron is more transmissible (e.g., more easily spread from person to person) than the other variants, including the Delta variant, that is currently the dominant variant in the United States.
How contagious is the Delta variant?
The Delta variant is highly contagious, more than 2x as contagious as previous variants.
Are unvaccinated people more at risk of contracting COVID-19 variants?
The greatest risk of transmission is among unvaccinated people who are much more likely to contract, transmit, become seriously ill and die from the virus. It is not yet clear how protective the COVID-19 vaccines are against the Omicron variant.
What is a breakthrough infection?
According to the CDC, a breakthrough infection is the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA or antigen in a respiratory specimen collected from a person ≥14 days after they have completed all recommended doses of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-authorized COVID-19 vaccine, meaning they are “fully vaccinated.” Breakthrough infections happen much less frequently than infections in unvaccinated people and they also much less likely to cause serious illness, hospitalization or death.
Has the Omicron variant been detected in Shelby County?
Yes, the Omicron variant has now been detected in Shelby County.
Could I transmit the Omicron variant and other variants to others if I am fully vaccinated?
Fully vaccinated people with Delta variant breakthrough infections can spread the virus to others. However, vaccinated people appear to be infectious for a shorter period than unvaccinated people.
Is there a booster to protect against the Omicron variant?
Yes. A revised booster vaccine became available in September 2022. It is called a “bivalent” vaccine because it protects against the original strain of COVID-19 and the newer Omicron variant. The new booster is now available to anyone 5 or older who has, at a minimum, completed the initial two-dose series of either Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least two months ago. More information about the bivalent boosters.
Find a vaccination site near you by going to https://www.vaccines.gov/ and entering your zip code.
What should I do to protect myself and my family from the Omicron variant and other variants?
The CDC recommends that you and your family continue to take preventative measures such as wearing a mask in public indoor settings with areas of substantial or high community transmission, washing your hands frequently, and physically distancing yourself from others by at least 6 feet, when possible. Everyone 5 years and older can protect themselves from COVID-19 by being vaccinated. Travelers should continue to follow CDC recommendations regarding travel, including wearing masks on all forms of mass transit.
The COVID-19 Vaccine
Is the Shelby County Health Department administering the COVID-19 vaccine?
The Shelby County Health Department provides both the initial two-dose series of both Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for anyone aged 6 months or older and the revised Omicron-specific booster dose to anyone aged 5 years or older who has, at a minimum, completed the original two-dose series of vaccinations, either Pfizer or Moderna.
The Health Department provides COVID-19 vaccines at the Immunization Clinic at its 814 Jefferson headquarters and at the Shelby Crossing Clinic, located at 1826 Sycamore View Road, Monday-Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. No appointment is needed. For more information, call 901-222-9000.
What kind of vaccine is the COVID-19 vaccine?
Two of the COVID-19 vaccines—Pfizer and Moderna—are a new type of vaccine, called mRNA vaccines. To trigger an immune response, many vaccines put a weakened or inactivated germ into our bodies. Not mRNA vaccines. Instead, they teach our cells how to make a protein—or even just a piece of a protein—that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. That immune response, which produces antibodies, is what protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies. More about mRNA vaccines here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html.
The Johnson & Janssen vaccine is a different kind of vaccine, called a viral vector vaccine. Viral vector vaccines use a modified version of a different virus (the vector) to deliver important instructions to our cells. The benefit of viral vector vaccines, like all vaccines, is those vaccinated gain protection without ever having to risk the serious consequences of getting sick with COVID-19. More about viral vector vaccines here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/viralvector.html
Is the vaccine safe?
Yes. No serious side effects have been observed. Some people who have received the vaccine experienced headache, tiredness, or had some redness and soreness where they received the vaccine. These are not unusual signs and symptoms for any vaccine and usually go away within a couple of days. There are several systems in place to make sure any side effects from the vaccine are reported and documented. The COVID-19 vaccines will be monitored to ensure their safety.
The CDC has set up a smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after you receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Through v-safe, you can quickly tell CDC if you have any side effects after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more and register here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/vsafe.html.
Can I get COVID-19 from the vaccine?
No. It is not possible to get the virus from the vaccine.
Why are two vaccinations necessary?
While one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine appears to offer protection against the virus, it takes two doses of the vaccine for the body to develop optimal immunity to the virus. For the Pfizer vaccine, the second dose is required within 21 days of the first dose. For the Moderna vaccine, the second dose is required within 28 days. For the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, only one dose is required.
Does the first dose of the vaccine provide any protection against the virus?
A new CDC study reported that a single dose of Pfizer’s or Moderna’s COVID vaccine was 80% effective in preventing infections. The effectiveness increased to 90% two weeks after the second dose.
How will I know when to get the second dose?
When you get your first dose, you will receive a card with the date of your first dose, the product name/manufacturer of the vaccine you just received, and the date on which you should receive your second dose. Note that your second dose of COVID-19 vaccine must be from the same product name/manufacturer as your first dose. We recommend when you receive your card, take a picture as a back-up, and add the date to your calendar. Some providers may send reminders via text or email.
What happens if a person is late in getting their second dose of vaccine?
There is not much known yet about the impact of a late second dose on immunity, but people should receive the second dose, even if it is late.
If I get COVID-19 after taking the first dose of vaccine, but before taking the second dose, do I wait to receive the second dose?
Get the second dose after you recover from the illness and you have completed your period of isolation.
How can I protect myself against COVID-19 until I can get the vaccine?
If you have not yet been vaccinated, continue the preventive steps that are proven to reduce transmission of the virus:
- Keep at least 6 feet of separation between yourself and others from outside of your household
- Wear a mask or facial covering whenever you are in public or with people from outside your household
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, and use hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available
- Stay home from work, school, shopping or social activities if you are sick
- Get tested. COVID-19 testing is free and available to anyone with or without symptoms at convenient community testing sites around Shelby County. Click here for the list of community testing sites.
Who is eligible to receive third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine?
According to the CDC, COVID-19 Vaccine booster shots are available for all adults 18 and older for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine recipients who completed their initial series at least 6 months ago.
COVID-19 Vaccine booster shots are available for all adults 18 and older and adolescents ages 12 and older for Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine recipients who completed their initial series at least 5 months ago.
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster vaccinations are also available to moderately or severely immunocompromised 5–11-year-olds 28 days after their second shot.
Are third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine required?
3rd doses are not required, but are recommended for all adults 18 and older, adolescents ages 12 and older, and moderately or severely immunocompromised 5–11-year-olds.
The CDC recommends 3rd doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and 2nd doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
I have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Would I need an additional dose?
Individuals who got the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago.
Can you mix and match the vaccines?
You can now mix and match the doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. For example, if you received 1st and 2nd doses of the Pfizer vaccine, you can receive the Moderna vaccine as your 3rd dose and vice versa.
When should I receive a third dose of the vaccine?
The CDC recommends getting a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 5 months after the second dose of either the Pfizer vaccine and at least 6 months after the second dose of either the Pfizer or vaccine.
Where and how can I receive the third dose of the vaccine?
Visit https://www.vaccines.gov/ and enter your zip code to find the closest vaccination site near you.
My child is under age 5. Can they now be vaccinated against COVID-19?
Yes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends children as young as 6 months old may receive the initial two-dose series of COVID-19 vaccine. Children aged 5 and older may also receive the Omicron-specific booster dose, as long as they have completed the initial two-dose series at least two months ago.
What vaccine will my child get?
Both Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 initial series vaccines have been approved for children age 6 months or older. The decision about which vaccine your child receives should be made in consultation with your vaccine provider.
Is the vaccine my child gets the same dosage as I received?
Adolescents ages 12 years and older will receive the same dosage of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as adults. Even though the pediatric Pfizer vaccine has the same active ingredients as the vaccine given to adults and adolescents, children ages 5-11 cannot get the same vaccine that is given to adults and adolescents. They will receive an age-appropriate dose that is one-third of the adult dose. Smaller needles will also be used.
Will my child need a second dose of the vaccine?
Yes, if your child received the Pfizer vaccine, they will need a second dose of the three weeks after their first vaccination. If they received the Moderna vaccine, they will need a second dose four weeks after the first vaccination.
How do I find a vaccination site?
The drive-thru public sites are not vaccinating children age 5-11 for practical safety reasons. To find a vaccination site that is vaccinating children in that age range, go to Vaccines.gov, select “Pfizer-BioNTech (age 5-11)” under vaccine options, and enter your zip code. Some vaccination sites may require an appointment.
How do I know the vaccine is safe for my child?
Extensive clinical trials were conducted to study the effects of vaccine in children age 5 to 11. Some of those trials were conducted right here in Memphis by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The studies found the vaccine to be both safe and effective in preventing serious illness from COVID-19 among children in the 5 to 11-year-old age range. The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention then reviewed the findings of those clinical trials and approved the vaccine for children.
My child is very healthy and has never had COVID-19. Why should they be vaccinated?
Even though severe illness with COVID-19 is rare, unvaccinated children can:
- Become infected with the virus that causes COVID-19
- Get very sick from COVID-19
- Have both short and long-term health complications from COVID-19
- Spread COVID-19 to others
For all those reasons, the vaccine is recommended for both healthy children and those who have medical conditions that put them at high risk of complications from COVID-19 infection.
My child had a mild case of COVID-19 and is fully recovered. Doesn’t their “natural immunity” provide better protection than the vaccine?
No. Children ages 5 years and older and adults who are eligible should get vaccinated regardless of whether they already had COVID-19. Evidence is emerging that people get better protection by being fully vaccinated compared with previously having a COVID-19 infection. One study showed that unvaccinated people who already had COVID-19 are more than two times as likely than fully vaccinated people to get COVID-19 again.
Can my child receive other vaccines at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine?
Yes, your child can get both the COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines, including the flu vaccine at the same time.
What about heart problems? Will the vaccine cause my child to develop inflammation of the heart (myocarditis)?
Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle that can cause chest pain, shortness of breath and other symptoms. It is a rare side effect that has been reported after vaccination with mRNA vaccines like the COVID-19 vaccine. Infection with viruses like COVID-19 can also cause myocarditis.
Will the vaccine affect my child’s puberty or cause them to become infertile?
No. There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines cause fertility problems or affect the onset of puberty in either males or females.
Can the COVID-19 vaccine cause autism?
Many studies have looked at vaccines and autism, and all studies to date show there is no relationship between vaccines and autism spectrum disorder.
Will my child experience any side effects? What symptoms should I look out for?
Your child may experience some mild side effects, which are normal signs that their body is building immunity against the COVID-19 virus. Your child may experience pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site. Placing a cool, damp cloth on the injection site can ease discomfort. Other symptoms may include:
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Chills
- Fever
- Nausea
These mild side effects may affect your child’s ability to do daily activities, but should go away in a few days.
Can I give my child pain-reliever after they receive the vaccine?
Aspirin is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age. We recommend that you ask your healthcare provider for advice on using a non-aspirin pain reliever.
Face Masks
Is there any evidence that wearing a mask prevents the spread of COVID-19?
Yes. Masks are recommended as a simple barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the mask coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice. This is called source control. This recommendation is based on what we know about the role respiratory droplets play in the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, paired with emerging evidence from clinical and laboratory studies that shows masks reduce the spray of droplets when worn over the nose and mouth. Masks are recommended for people who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19, especially in crowded and poorly ventilated indoor locations. The CDC now says people who are fully vaccinated need not wear masks when around other people either indoors or outdoors, because their risk of spreading COVID-19 virus to others is very low.
Who should not wear a mask?
Masks must be worn in Shelby County in the following circumstances(unless a valid CDC exemption applies as set forth below):
- You are awaiting, boarding, disembarking, or traveling on public airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares. This includes hubs, airports, terminals, stations, and ports of entry. Please note that the CDC plans to amend its guidance on mask-wearing in outdoor areas of conveyances.
- Requirement for Face Masks on Public Transportation Conveyances and at Transportation Hubs – www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/face-masks-public-transportation.html
- You are in an indoor, public setting in Shelby County unless:
- You are a child under the age of 2 years.
- You are seated in a restaurant or bar for the purpose of eating and drinking.
- You are engaged in other activities that require removal of a mask, such as cardio activities inside a gym, grooming activities, or theatre performances.
- You are in a place of worship and the place of worship does not require you to wear a mask.
- You are in an indoor setting that is not open to the public.
- You are a person with a disability who cannot wear a mask, or cannot safely wear a mask, for reasons related to the disability.
- You are a person for whom wearing a mask would create a risk to workplace health, safety, or job duty as determined by a workplace risk assessment.
- You are a K -12 grade school student and your parent has submitted a written notification that you are opting out of wearing a mask according to Governor Lee’s Executive Order No 84.
Because the CDC currently considers Shelby County to be an area of substantial or high transmission, masks are highly recommended if you are in an outdoor setting that involves close contact with others who may not be fully vaccinated. Please also consult with your health care provider about wearing a mask due to any health conditions you may have.
Mask Usage and Polling Places
Are face covering required while inside any voting location?
Face coverings are strongly encouraged at all voting locations for anyone voting or administering an election.
Property Owners
When should landlords and property owners provide the notices to tenants about “Emergency Utility, Rental/Mortgage, Medical/Prescriptions, and Family Support Assistance?”
The notice should be provided to tenant(s) along with the service of process of the eviction notice or at least two weeks before execution of a writ of possession, whichever is shorter. An example of proof of notice that can be used: Notice of Emergency Assistance.
Contact Tracing – Updated
HAVE THERE BEEN CHANGES MADE TO CONTACT TRACING PROCEDURE?
Yes.
Several nationally-recognized organizations issued a joint statement in January 2022 recommending states begin to transition away from universal contact tracing for individual cases of COVID-19.
Based on these recommendations, beginning on February 14th, the Tennessee Department of Health and the Shelby County Health Department will no longer investigate and contact trace every case of COVID-19, but will continue to investigate outbreaks and clusters, particularly in high-risk settings. Individuals who are COVID positive or think they have been exposed should still follow the recommended guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus.
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/cedep/novel-coronavirus/Employer_Letter.pdf.
Additionally, in alignment with the Tennessee Department of Health, on February 14th, Shelby County Health Department will no longer provide clearance letters for recovered cases to return to work.
WHAT IF MY EMPLOYER REQUIRES A MEDICAL CLEARANCE LETTER?
Both the CDC and TDH discourage employers and schools from requiring a medical note for clearance to return to work or school after an individual has COVID-19. The link above details information about that, which is also the information that the SCHD call center will provide to people who are seeking Return To Work letters.
Those who test positive for COVID-19 may provide documentation of their positive test result (such as a photo, print out of lab results, or note from a provider that administered the test) to indicate their need for exclusion from in-person activities during their period of isolation.
HAS POLICY CHANGED IN REGARDS TO SICK LEAVE OR TELEWORK POSSIBILITIES?
Employers and schools are encouraged to provide access to sick leave, telework, and other accommodations without individual documentation from a doctor or nurse regarding an individual’s need to stay home.
HAVE CHANGES OCCURRED WITH PATIENT ISOLATION PROCEDURE?
The new CDC recommendations provide that cases should isolate for a minimum of 5 days after onset and may be released after they are without fever for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medication) and show improvement in symptoms. Cases without symptoms should isolate through 5 days after their specimen collection date.
Regardless of symptoms, CDC recommends wearing a well-fitting mask when around others for 10 days following onset/specimen collection.
Further Notes:
• Some severely ill patients may need to isolate for a longer time period.
• Lingering cough or loss of taste or smell should not prevent a case from being released from isolation.
• If a follow-up PCR test is positive, cases do not need to re-enter isolation as long as they have completed the 5-day isolation and had symptom improvement for a minimum of 24 hours.
WHERE CAN I OBTAIN FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT UPDATED PROCEDURES AND POLICIES?
Additional Isolation and Quarantine information is available here: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/cedep/novel-coronavirus/IsolationQuarantineRelease.pdf
Further information: https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/health/cedep/ncov/cases-and-contacts.html
COVID-19 Case Classification
Who counts as a COVID-19 case?
The Shelby County Health Department uses standard criteria to define a case, which was developed from national guidance put out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Only individuals who test positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID, or who meet specific symptom and exposure criteria are considered COVID-19 cases.
Who counts as a confirmed case?
Anyone who has a positive confirmatory test result for the virus that causes COVID-19. The only confirmatory test for SARS-CoV-2 is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, which detects the genetic material of the virus. Individuals must have a positive PCR test to be counted as a confirmed case.
The vast majority of all COVID-19 cases in Tennessee were classified as confirmed cases, meaning they had a positive PCR test.
Who counts as a probable case?
Anyone who has not had a positive confirmatory test, but 1) has a positive antigen test or 2) meets the clinical criteria of COVID-19 infection and is at high risk for having been infected with COVID-19 by another person, such as being a close contact.
The majority of probable cases have a positive antigen test. As antigen tests become more widely available, there will be an increase in probable cases in Tennessee and nationwide.
Why do we count probable cases?
Including probable cases in case counts provides a better understanding of COVID-19 illness in the community. Not every person who has COVID-19 will get tested with a confirmatory test, so including those who are tested with an antigen test or who have COVID-19 symptoms after exposure to the virus helps the Shelby County Health Department (SCHD) better understand how many people in Tennessee have COVID-19. SCHD reports probable cases as recommended and follows national criteria to ensure the infection is reported uniformly across the country.
How does public health respond to cases?
Shelby County Health Department investigates confirmed and probable cases in the same way, by interviewing the case and identifying contacts.
Isolation:
A person who tests positive for COVID-19 is placed in isolation for at least 10 days. That means you must stay at home without any visitors and avoid other household members as much as possible. After 10 days, if you have not experienced symptoms or fever for at least 24 hours, you are considered recovered and can be released to resume daily activities, including work. A negative test result is not required to return to work, once the isolation period is completed. However, if you are experiencing symptoms, the period of isolation may be extended to up to 21 days, or until you have been without symptoms for at least 24 hours. Recovered persons do not need to be retested if they are re-exposed within 90 days nor are placed in quarantine again within 90 days.
Contact Tracing:
Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must notify those who are known to have been in contact with them and also comply with the Health Department on case investigations. If you test positive, you will be asked to list everyone you have been in close contact with for 2 days before you developed symptoms or 2 days before you were tested, if you have no symptoms. Anyone who has been within 6 feet of you for 15 minutes or longer during that time period will be placed into quarantine.
Quarantine:
Quarantine is a public health strategy used to separate someone who may have been exposed to an illness and who is still in a period of time when they can develop illness. Quarantine is used to prevent transmission in the event the exposed person develops the illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) originally set a 14-day quarantine period for COVID-19 based on estimates of the upper bounds of the virus’ incubation period. Since that time, research indicates that more than 90% of exposed persons who go on to develop COVID-19 illness develop symptoms within 10 days of exposure. For that reason the CDC has revised its guidance to allow for a shorter quarantine period under the following conditions:
- Quarantine can end after Day 10 of of exposure without testing and if no symptoms have been reported during daily monitoring.
- In some cases, quarantine can end after Day 7 of exposure, if a diagnostic specimen tests negative for the SARS-CoV-2 virus and if no symptoms were reported during daily monitoring, but quarantine cannot be discontinued earlier than after Day 7.
In both cases, the quarantined person must continue to 1. Monitor for signs and symptoms of illness, 2. Wear a mask when around others, and 3. Observe social distancing through Day 14 of exposure.
COVID-19 vs Allergies
Spring pollen is in the air, and it seems everyone is experiencing some allergy symptoms like sneezing, sniffling, watery eyes, etc. How common are pollen allergies?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 50 million Americans suffer from some kind of allergy. Allergies are the 6th leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S.
Are some allergy symptoms the same as COVID-19 symptoms?
There is some overlap in the symptoms, particularly, cough, congestion, sore throat, headache, and loss of taste or smell. Mild COVID-19 symptoms could be mistaken for allergy symptoms.
Persons with COVID-19 are more likely to have fever or chills, uncommon with allergies. They are also more likely to suffer gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, not usually associated with allergies.
COVID-19 most common symptoms:
- Cough
- Congestion or runny nose
- Sore throat
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Fever or chills
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Allergic rhinitis most common symptoms:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Itching (mostly eyes, nose, mouth, throat and skin)
- Runny nose
- Stuffy nose
- Headache
- Pressure in the nose and cheeks
- Ear fullness and popping
- Sore throat
- Watery, red, or swollen eyes
- Dark circles under your eyes
- Loss of taste or smell
- Hives
If the symptoms are so similar, how could someone tell the difference? How do you know when you can take an over-the-counter allergy treatment and when you should be tested for COVID?
The best way to know is to get tested for COVID-19. Testing is free and widely available. We recommend anyone who develops new symptoms should be tested. The symptoms of COVID-19 may be mild or vague. If you feel ill or think you may have been exposed, you owe it to yourself and the people around you to get tested.
Are people who suffer from allergies at greater risk of developing COVID-19?
They are not at higher risk; however, if they also suffer from asthma, common among people with respiratory allergies, they are at greater risk of developing serious illness from COVID-19.
Is it possible to have allergies and COVID-19 at the same time?
Yes, and that is another good reason to be tested for COVID-19.