Take precautions after exposure to COVID-19.
If you were exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 or have been told by a health care provider or public health authority that you were exposed, here are the steps that you should take, regardless of your vaccination status or if you have had a previous infection. Learn how COVID-19 spreads and the factors that make risk of spread higher or lower.
- You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more, either during one 15-minute block of time or cumulatively throughout a given day
- You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19
- You had direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them)
- You shared eating or drinking utensils
- They sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you
People with COVID-19 can have a wide range of symptoms ranging from mild to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms might have COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
If you or someone else has severe symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately. Severe symptoms can include:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
I received an email telling me I’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
People who test positive for COVID-19 are required to tell the Health District about all people they have had close contact with while they are contagious. The Health District tries to notify everyone who has been exposed to someone who tested positive through an automated email system.
Beware of fraudulent messages. Valid Health District emails are from do-not-reply@snhd.org. The Health District will never ask for your Social Security Number, citizenship, credit card, or bank information.
If you received a message from us, please maintain quarantine until the date in your message. Monitor for symptoms and use the information and resources on this page.
I did NOT receive an email telling me I’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
Sometimes close contacts are not reported to the Health District or there is a problem with the email address and our automated message cannot be delivered.
If you know you have been exposed or think you might have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you are still required to maintain quarantine—even if you did not receive a notification from us. Please use the information on this page to find out when you can end quarantine.
I received a notification through the COVID Trace mobile app that I have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19.
COVID Trace is a free, easy to use mobile phone app that allows people who have COVID-19 to notify others that they may have been exposed—even if the person who has COVID-19 does not know the other person. It is anonymous, and your privacy is protected.
The Southern Nevada Health District uses an automated messaging system to send messages to people who have COVID-19 and those who have been exposed. The COVID Trace app is separate from this messaging system.
If you received a notification through the app telling you that you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you must maintain quarantine as described at the top of this page. If you develop symptoms, get tested.
Find more information about COVID Trace at https://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/covidtrace .