COVID-19 Outbreak Management
Beginning January 24, 2022, if you have a COVID-19 PCR or antigen test at a lab-confirmed facility, physician office, or at a school, you will automatically receive a case investigation survey with the following notification via text message and/or email.
If you did not have a test conducted at a lab-confirmed facility (i.e., an at-home test), BCHD invites Bay County residents who test positive for COVID-19 to complete the Case Interview Survey linked below, using this safe and secure tool to self-report your symptom history and any close contacts. It is our goal that ALL cases in Bay County be investigated.
Case Interview Survey
- Gather all necessary details (e.g. name, phone number, email, most recent date of exposure) of your close contacts BEFORE beginning the survey.
- After you begin you cannot save your responses and return to the survey later.
Please note this survey should only be completed if: - You are a resident of Bay County; AND
- Your diagnostic test (molecular or antigen test) was positive for COVID-19 (i.e., does not include results from antibody tests); AND
- BCHD staff have not already completed a full case interview by telephone.
Case Interview Survey Checklist
All of the information you provide will remain confidential and will not be shared with others. Your identity will not be disclosed when MDHHS notifies your close contacts of their exposure opportunity and directs them to begin quarantine.
BCHD is asking the public for patience and to follow these guidelines:
If you were notified that you tested positive for COVID-19:
1. Self-isolate: For most persons with COVID-19, self-isolation can be discontinued when all of the following conditions are met:
- At least 5, full 24-hour days have passed since symptom onset; AND
- At least 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without use off ever-reducing medications; AND
- Other new or recent onset symptoms (especially cough, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea) have resolved or substantially improved; AND
- You receive a negative test result on a rapid antigen test.
2. Notify all your close contacts immediately yourself: Close contacts might include your household members, friends, coworkers, or others. CDC defines a close contact as any person who spent 15+ minutes (cumulative over any 24 hour period) within 6 feet of you during your infectious period (beginning 48 hours prior to the date when your symptoms began or else your test sample was collected, if you remain free of symptoms).
If you were notified that you were a close contact to a positive case of COVID-19:
1. Quarantine: Stay home until 5 days after the most recent date of exposure. If you remain in close contact with a COVID-19 case (e.g., in your household), then your 5-day quarantine countdown will not begin until the end of the case’s infectious period (i.e., 5 days after the case’s symptom onset or else the case’s sample collection date if the case was free of symptoms when tested).
2. Wear a mask: Wear well-fitting mask (surgical, KN95, or N95) around others for 10 days.
3. Monitor for symptoms: You might or might not be infected as a result of the exposure. If infected, you might or might not experience symptoms of illness. You should closely monitor your health on a daily basis to identify the onset of any COVID-like symptoms including but not limited to fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, congestion, or runny nose.
4. Seek testing: Get tested on or after day 5. If positive or symptoms develop, you should begin isolation immediately. If negative, you may end quarantine and resume activities/work/school on day 6.