Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
COVID-19 Risk
If my patient has an underlying medical condition, what is my patient’s risk of acquiring or having severe illness from COVID-19, and what should I tell my patient?

There is insufficient information on COVID-19 to determine the level of risk for each underlying medical condition. CDC is analyzing data continuously and provides updates as soon as new information is available.
You know your patient’s overall health and how well their conditions are managed. Use your clinical judgement to evaluate on a case by case basis. Patients frequently in congregate settings are at increased risk of infection. Patients with underlying medical conditions may be at increased risk of severe disease.
If possible, work with patients to manage their underlying condition to the best of their ability, including ensuring that patients have sufficient medication and supplies. Prescribing three-month supplies of medications may help ensure access to sufficient medications.
Explain to all patients which symptoms of their chronic conditions require emergency care or in-person visits. Stress the importance of obtaining emergency care if needed.
Reassure your patients who require emergency care that emergency departments have infection prevention plans to protect them from acquiring COVID-19
Tell patients with underlying medical conditions that increase their risk of severe illness or poorer outcomes from COVID-19:
To stay home as much as possible to reduce their risk of being exposed.
Closely follow their care plans for management of their chronic disease, including, for example, achieving better glycemic or blood pressure control.
Seek emergency care for acute exacerbations of their underlying medical conditions or any health condition that requires immediate attention.

Encourage all patients, regardless of risk, to:
Take steps to protect yourself.
Call your healthcare provider if you are sick with a fever, cough, or shortness of breath.

Follow CDC travel guidelines and the recommendations of your state and local health officials. Fear and anxiety about a disease can feel overwhelming, especially for those who might be at higher risk or are experiencing social isolation, and for healthcare providers that are treating patients at higher risk. Do what you can to take care of your mental health and encourage your patients to do the same.

Additional resources for healthcare
providers


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Treatment and Management
Should post-exposure prophylaxis be used for people who may have been exposed to a person with COVID-19?
There is currently no FDA-approved post-exposure prophylaxis for people who
may have been exposed to COVID-19. For information about registered clinical
trials of investigational therapeutics for pre or post exposure prophylaxis of
SARS-CoV-2 infection, visit ClinicalTrials.govexternal
icon.
For more information on movement restrictions, monitoring for symptoms, and
evaluation after possible exposure to COVID-19, see Interim US Guidance for
Risk Assessment and Public Health Management of Persons with Potential
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Exposure in Travel-associated or Community
Settings and Interim U.S
Guidance for Risk Assessment and Public Health Management of Healthcare
Personnel with Potential Exposure in a Healthcare Setting to Patients with
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The National Institutes of Health recently published guidelines on prophylaxis
use, testing, and management of COVID-19 patients. For more information,
please visit: National Institutes of Health: Coronavirus Disease 2019
(COVID-19) Treatment Guidelinesexternal
icon.


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Obstetrical Care
How should the use of N95 respirators be prioritized within obstetric healthcare settings during shortages?
During respirator shortages, care should be taken to ensure that N95
respirators are reserved for situations where respiratory protection is most
important, such as performance of aerosol-generating procedures on patients
with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection. In such shortage situations,
facemasks might be used for other types of patient care.
Alternatives to N95 respirators might be considered where feasible. These
include other classes of NIOSH-approved filtering facepiece respirators, half
facepiece or full facepiece elastomeric respirators, and powered air-purifying
respirators (PAPRs) where feasible. All of these alternatives will provide
equivalent or higher protection than N95 respirators when properly worn.
However, PAPRs and elastomeric respirators should not be used in surgical
settings due to concerns that exhaled air may contaminate the sterile field.
For more information please see: Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of N95
Respirators: Conventional Capacity
Strategies.
When respirator supplies are restored, the facility can switch back to use of
N95 respirators for all care of patients with known or suspected COVID-19
infection. For more information, please see Interim Infection Prevention and
Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus
Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Healthcare
Settings.


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Testing, Diagnosis, and Notification
How do you diagnose and report a potential case of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C)?
Patients with MIS-C have presented with a persistent fever and a variety of
signs and symptoms including multiorgan (e.g., cardiac, gastrointestinal,
renal, hematologic, dermatologic, neurologic) involvement and elevated
inflammatory markers. Not all children will have the same symptoms. For
children who may have MIS-C, further evaluation for signs of this syndrome may
include (but are not limited to) chest radiograph, echocardiography, and blood
testing to evaluate for evidence of inflammation.
Healthcare providers who have cared or are caring for patients younger than 21
years of age meeting MIS-C criteria should report suspected cases to their
local, state, or territorial health department. After hour phone numbers for
health departments are available at the Council of State and Territorial
Epidemiologists website.external
icon For additional reporting
questions, please contact CDC’s 24-hour Emergency Operations Center at
770-488-7100. For more information, including a full case definition, please
visit the CDC Health Alert
Network. For guidance for
pediatric healthcare providers, visit Information for Pediatric Healthcare
Providers.


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Patients with Liver Disease
Should vaccination of HBV-exposed infants continue during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Yes. Hepatitis B vaccination of all infants, especially those exposed to
hepatitis B virus, should occur according to the Advisory Committee on
Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations.
Labor and Delivery Care

Identify HBsAg status of all women presenting for delivery.
If a woman’s HBsAg status is positive, HBIG and single antigen hepatitis B vaccine should be administered to her infant within 12 hours of birth.
If a woman’s HBsAg status is unknown, single antigen hepatitis B vaccine should be administered to her infant within 12 hours of birth. Administration of HBIG should be determined per ACIP recommendations (see https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/rr/rr6701a1.htm). Infants weighing <2,000 grams should receive HBIG if the mother’s HBsAg status cannot be determined within 12 hours of birth.
Provide the birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine to all other newborns within 24 hours of birth to prevent horizontal hepatitis B virus transmission from household or other close contacts.


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Waste Management
What do waste management companies need to know about wastewater and sewage coming from a healthcare facility or community setting with either a known COVID-19 patient or person under investigation (PUI)?
Waste generated in the care of PUIs or patients with confirmed COVID-19 does
not present additional considerations for wastewater disinfection in the
United States. Coronaviruses are susceptible to the same disinfection
conditions in community and healthcare settings as other viruses, so current
disinfection conditions in wastewater treatment facilities are expected to be
sufficient. This includes conditions for practices such as oxidation with
hypochlorite (i.e., chlorine bleach) and peracetic acid, as well as
inactivation using UV irradiation.


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
COVID-19 Risk
Who is at risk for severe disease from COVID-19?
The available data are currently insufficient to clearly identify risk factors
for severe clinical outcomes. Based on limited data that are available for
COVID-19 patients, and data from related coronaviruses such as severe acute
respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and MERS-CoV, people who may be at
risk for more severe outcomes include older adults and persons who have
certain underlying chronic medical
conditions. Those
underlying chronic conditions include chronic lung disease, moderate to severe
asthma, cardiac disease with complications, diabetes, or immunocompromising
conditions. See also Interim Clinical Guidance for Management of Patients
with Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019
(COVID-19) and Information for Healthcare Professionals: COVID-19 and
Underlying Conditions.


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Patients with Asthma
Are any changes recommended to the asthma treatment plan if my patient with asthma has COVID-19?
Patients can be referred to CDC’s recommendations for caring for themselves
or someone else at home sick with COVID-19.
If nebulizer use at home is necessary for patients with asthma who have
symptoms or a diagnosis of COVID-19, use of the nebulizer in a location that
minimizes and preferably avoids exposure to any other members of the
household, and preferably a location where air is not recirculated into the
home (like a porch, patio, or garage) is recommended by national professional
organizations, including the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
(ACAAI) by the ACAAI and the Allergy & Asthma Network (AAN). Limiting the
number of people in the room or location where the nebulizer is used is also
recommended by the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). Nebulizers
should be used and cleaned according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
If nebulizer use in a healthcare setting is necessary for patients who have
either symptoms or a diagnosis of COVID-19, use CDC’s recommended precautions
when performing aerosol-generating procedures
(AGPs).


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Transmission
Can people who recover from COVID-19 be re-infected with SARS-CoV-2?
The immune response, including duration of immunity, to SARS-CoV-2 infection
is not yet understood. Patients with MERS-CoV are unlikely to be re-infected
shortly after they recover, but it is not yet known whether similar immune
protection will be observed for patients with COVID-19.


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Obstetrical Care
Is use of high-flow oxygen considered an aerosol-generating procedure for respirator prioritization during shortages?
Based on limited data, high-flow oxygen use is not considered an aerosol-
generating procedure for respirator prioritization during shortages over
procedures more likely to generate higher concentrations of infectious
respiratory aerosols (such as bronchoscopy, intubation, and open suctioning).
Patients with known or suspected COVID-19 should receive any interventions
they would normally receive as standard of care. When respirator supplies are
restored, as with all clinical care activities for patients with known or
suspected COVID-19, respirators (or facemasks if a respirator is not
available), eye protection, gloves, and gowns should be used by HCP for the
care of pregnant patients with known or suspected COVID-19. For more
information please see: Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control
FAQs


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Testing, Diagnosis, and Notification
Whom should healthcare providers notify if they suspect a patient has COVID-19?
Healthcare providers should immediately notify infection control personnel at
their facility if they suspect COVID-19 in a patient. If a patient tests
positive, providers should report that positive result to their local/state
health department.


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
COVID-19 Risk
Are there work restrictions recommended for HCP with underlying health conditions who may care for COVID-19 patients? What about for pregnant HCP?
Adherence to recommended infection prevention and control practices is an
important part of protecting HCP and patients in healthcare settings. All HCP
who care for confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients should adhere to
standard and transmission based
precautions.
To the extent feasible, healthcare facilities could consider prioritizing HCP
who are not at higher risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19 or who
are not pregnant to care for confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients.
If staffing shortages make this challenging, facilities could consider
restricting HCP at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 or who are
pregnant from being present for higher risk procedures (e.g., aerosol-
generating procedures)
on COVID-19 patients. Find more information for facilities on mitigating HCP
staffing shortages.
HCP who are concerned about their individual risk for severe illness from
COVID-19 due to underlying medical conditions while caring for COVID-19
patients can discuss their concerns with their supervisor or occupational
health services.
People 65 years and older and people of all ages with serious underlying
health conditions — like serious heart conditions, chronic lung disease, and
diabetes — seem to be at higher risk of developing severe illness from
COVID-19.
Information on COVID-19 in pregnancy is limited. Pregnant women are not
currently considered at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
However, pregnant women have had a higher risk of severe illness when infected
with viruses from the same family as COVID-19 and other viral respiratory
infections, such as influenza. Find more information on
pregnancy and risk for severe illness from COVID-19.


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Treatment and Management
How are COVID-19 patients treated?
Not all patients with COVID-19 will require medical supportive care. Clinical
management for hospitalized patients with COVID-19 is focused on supportive
care for complications, including supplemental oxygen and advanced organ
support for respiratory failure, septic shock, and multi-organ failure.
Empiric testing and treatment for other viral or bacterial etiologies may be
warranted.
Corticosteroids are not routinely recommended for treatment of viral
pneumonia or ARDS, due to the potential for prolonging viral replication, as
has been observed with MERS coronavirus and influenza. Corticosteroids should
be avoided unless they are indicated for another reason (e.g., COPD
exacerbation or refractory septic shock following the Surviving Sepsis
Campaign Guidelinesexternal iconexternal
icon).
For information on investigational therapies, see Therapeutic Options for
Patients with COVID-19.


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Obstetrical Care
Should intrapartum fever be considered as a possible sign of COVID-19 infection?
Clinicians should use their judgment to determine if a patient has signs and
symptoms compatible with COVID-19 and whether the
patient should be tested. Fever is the most commonly reported sign; most
patients with confirmed COVID-19 have developed fever and/or symptoms of acute
respiratory illness (cough, difficulty breathing).
Data regarding COVID-19 in pregnancy are limited; according to current
information, presenting signs and symptoms are expected to be similar to those
for non-pregnant patients, including the presence of fever.
Other considerations that may guide testing are epidemiologic factors such as
the occurrence of local community transmission of COVID-19 infections. As part
of evaluation, clinicians are strongly encouraged to test for other causes of
respiratory illness and peripartum fever. For more information please see:
Evaluating and Testing Persons for Coronavirus Disease 2019
(COVID-19)


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Obstetrical Care
Does CDC recommend use of facemasks or respirators for healthcare personnel (HCP) caring for pregnant patients with known or suspected COVID-19 infection?
When available, respirators (or facemasks if a respirator is not available),
eye protection, gloves, and gowns should be used for the care of patients with
known or suspected COVID-19 infection, including women who are pregnant. For
more information, please see Interim Infection Prevention and Control
Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease
2019 (COVID-19) in Healthcare Settings.


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Patients with Asthma
If I have patients with asthma, do I need to make any changes to their daily asthma preventive management regimens to reduce their risk of getting sick with COVID-19?
People with moderate to severe asthma , particularly if not well
controlled, might be at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.
Based on what we currently know about COVID-19, the selection of therapeutic
options through guideline-recommended treatment of asthma has not been
affected. National asthma guidelinesexternal
icon are available. Continuation of inhaled corticosteroids
is particularly important for patients already using these medications because
there is no evidence of increased risk of COVID-19 morbidity with use of
inhaled corticosteroids and an abundance of data showing reduced risk of
asthma exacerbation with maintenance of asthma controller therapy.
Patients with asthma but without symptoms or a diagnosis of COVID-19 should
continue any required nebulizer treatments.


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Waste Management
Should medical waste or general waste from healthcare facilities treating PUIs and patients with confirmed COVID-19 be handled any differently or need any additional disinfection?
Medical waste (trash) coming from healthcare facilities treating COVID-2019
patients is no different than waste coming from facilities without COVID-19
patients. CDC’s guidance states that management of laundry, food service
utensils, and medical waste should be performed in accordance with routine
procedures. There is no evidence to suggest that facility waste needs any
additional disinfection.
More guidance about environmental infection control is available in section 7
of CDC’s Interim Infection Prevention and Control
Recommendations for Patients with Confirmed COVID-19 or Persons Under
Investigation for COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings.


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Transmission
Which body fluids can spread infection?
SARS-CoV-2 RNA has been detected in upper and lower respiratory tract
specimens, and SARS-CoV-2 virus has been isolated from upper respiratory tract
specimens and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. SARS-CoV-2 RNA has been detected
in blood and stool specimens, and SARS-CoV-2 virus has been isolated in cell
culture from the stool of some patients, including a patient with pneumonia 15
days after symptom onset. The duration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in upper
and lower respiratory tract specimens and in extrapulmonary specimens is not
yet known but may be several weeks or longer. Duration of several week or
longer has been observed in cases of MERS-CoV or SARS-CoV infection. While
viable, infectious SARS-CoV has been isolated from respiratory, blood, urine,
and stool specimens, viable, infectious MERS-CoV has only been isolated from
respiratory tract specimens. It is not yet known whether other non-respiratory
body fluids from an infected person including vomit, urine, breast milk, or
semen can contain viable, infectious SARS-CoV-2.


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Patients with Liver Disease
Should management of infants born to HBV-infected women continue during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Yes. Management should continue to prevent mother-to-child transmission of
hepatitis B.
Pediatric Care of HBV-exposed Infants

Make every effort to ensure HBV-exposed infants complete the hepatitis B vaccine series following the ACIP recommendations (see https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/rr/rr6701a1.htm). Providers using single-component vaccine who are experiencing immunization service disruption should administer hepatitis B vaccine as close to the recommended intervals as possible, including series completion at 6 months, and follow ACIP recommendations for post-vaccination serologic testing.
If post-vaccination serologic testing is delayed beyond 6 months after the hepatitis B series is completed, consider administering a “booster” dose of single antigen hepatitis B vaccine and then ordering post-vaccination serologic testing (HBsAg & antibody to HBsAg [anti-HBs]) 1-2 months after the “booster” dose.


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Drugs and Investigational Therapies
Are empiric antibiotics recommended for patients suspected of having COVID-19?
Several patients with COVID-19 have been reported to present with concurrent
community-acquired bacterial pneumonia. Decisions to administer antibiotics to
COVID-19 patients should be based on the likelihood of bacterial infection
(community-acquired or hospital-acquired), illness severity, and antimicrobial
stewardship issues. For more information, see Diagnosis and Treatment of
Adults with Community-acquired Pneumonia: An Official Clinical Practice
Guideline of the American Thoracic Society and Infectious Diseases Society of
Americaexternal iconexternal
icon.


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Patients with Hypertension
Are patients with hypertension at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19?
Although many patients with severe illness from COVID-19 have underlying
hypertension, it is unclear at this time if hypertension is an independent
risk factor for severe illness from COVID-19. Hypertension is common in the
United States. Hypertension is more frequent with advancing age and among men,
non-Hispanic blacks, and people with other underlying medical conditions such
as obesity, diabetes, and serious heart disease. At this time, people whose
only underlying medical condition is hypertension are not considered to be at
higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Patients with Asthma
If my patient experiences an asthma exacerbation, should the exacerbation be treated any differently to reduce risk of COVID-19?
Selection of therapeutic options through guideline-recommended treatment of
asthma exacerbations has not been affected by what we currently know about
COVID-19.
Systemic corticosteroids should be used to treat an asthma exacerbation per
national asthma guidelinesexternal icon and current standards of
care, even if it is caused by COVID-19. Short-term use of systemic
corticosteroids to treat asthma exacerbations should be continued. There is
currently no evidence to suggest that short-term use of systemic
corticosteroids to treat asthma exacerbations increases the risk of developing
severe COVID-19, whereas there is an abundance of data to support use of
systemic steroids for moderate or severe asthma exacerbations.
Patients with asthma but without symptoms or a diagnosis of COVID-19 should
continue any required nebulizer for treatments, as recommended by national
professional organizations, including the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma
& Immunology (AAAAI) and the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
(ACAAI). If healthcare providers need to be present during nebulizer use among
patients who have either symptoms or a diagnosis of COVID-19, use CDC’s
recommended precautions when performing aerosol-generating procedures
(AGPs).
Clinicians may be concerned that an asthma exacerbation is related to an
underlying infection with COVID-19. Clinicians can access laboratory testing
for COVID-19 through a network of state and local public health laboratories
across the country. Lists of states and territories with
laboratories that are
using COVID-19 viral tests are available. For more information, see Testing
in U.S. Clinicians
should direct testing questions to their
state
and localexternal icon
health departments.


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Treatment and Management
Do patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 need to be admitted to the hospital?
Not all patients with COVID-19 require hospital admission. Patients whose
clinical presentation warrants in-patient clinical management for supportive
medical care should be admitted to the hospital under appropriate isolation
precautions.
Some patients with initial mild clinical presentation may worsen in the second
week of illness. The decision to monitor these patients in the inpatient or
outpatient setting should be made on a case-by-case basis. This decision will
depend not only on the clinical presentation, but also on the patient’s
ability to engage in self-monitoring, the feasibility of safe isolation at
home, and the risk of transmission in the patient’s home environment. For more
information, see Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for
Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a
Healthcare Setting and
Interim Guidance for Implementing Home Care of People Not Requiring
Hospitalization for Coronavirus Disease 2019
(COVID-19).


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
COVID-19 Risk
What is multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and who is at risk?
CDC is investigating reports of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children
(MIS-C) associated with COVID-19. Patients with MIS-C have presented with a
persistent fever and a variety of signs and symptoms including multiorgan
(e.g., cardiac, gastrointestinal, renal, hematologic, dermatologic,
neurologic) involvement and elevated inflammatory markers. CDC is
collaborating with domestic and international partners to better understand
this new syndrome, including how common it is and its risk factors, and to
begin tracking cases. For more information including a full case definition,
visit the CDC Health Alert
Network. For additional
clinical guidance, visit Information for Pediatric Healthcare
Providers.


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Patients with Liver Disease
During the COVID-19 pandemic, should high-risk populations continue to be vaccinated for hepatitis A in response to the ongoing hepatitis A outbreaks?
Yes. People susceptible to hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection during the
current hepatitis A outbreaks should receive the hepatitis A vaccine when
possible. This includes:

people who use drugs (injection or non-injection)
people experiencing unstable housing or homelessness
men who have sex with men (MSM)
people who are or were recently incarcerated
people with chronic liver disease (including cirrhosis, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C) and living or working in areas where the hepatitis A outbreaks are ongoing

Vaccination in settings such as jails, other correctional facilities, and
homeless shelters should continue if already previously planned and organized
in a way that would adhere to infection control practices and where relevant
social distancing standards can be maintained. However, efforts should be made
to vaccinate people in non-congregate settings that allow for social
distancing. Whenever possible, vaccination efforts in non-congregate settings
should continue for people at highest risk of acquiring HAV infection or
developing serious complications from HAV infection, if social distancing
standards can be maintained.


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Treatment and Management
When can patients with confirmed COVID-19 be discharged from the hospital?
Patients can be discharged from the healthcare facility whenever clinically
indicated. Isolation should be maintained at home if the patient returns home
before the time period recommended for discontinuation of hospital
Transmission-Based Precautions.
Decisions to discontinue Transmission-Based Precautions or in-home isolation
can be made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with clinicians, infection
prevention and control specialists, and public health authorities based upon
multiple factors, including disease severity, illness signs and symptoms, and
results of laboratory testing for COVID-19 in respiratory specimens.
See Interim Considerations for Disposition of Hospitalized Patients with
COVID-19.
For non-hospitalized persons, see Interim Guidance for Implementing Home Care
of People Not Requiring Hospitalization for
COVID-19, and
Discontinuation of In-Home Isolation for Immunocompromised
Persons.


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Testing, Diagnosis, and Notification
If a patient tests positive for another respiratory virus, should that exclude SARS-CoV-2 as a cause of illness?
Patients can be infected with more than one virus at the same time.
Coinfections with other respiratory viruses in people with COVID-19 have been
reported. Therefore, identifying infection with one respiratory virus does not
exclude SARS-CoV-2 virus infection.


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Testing, Diagnosis, and Notification
Do existing commercially available multiple respiratory virus panels detect SARS-CoV-2?
Yes. There are commercially developed respiratory panels with multi-pathogen
molecular assays that can detect respiratory pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2,
influenza, and other human coronaviruses that can cause acute respiratory
illness. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains a list of tests
that includes viral tests with Emergency Use Authorizationexternal
icon (EUA).


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Testing, Diagnosis, and Notification
How do you test a patient for infection with SARS-CoV-2?

Clinicians are able to access laboratory testing through state and local public health laboratories, as well as commercial and clinical laboratories across the country. The Association of Public Health Laboratoriesexternal icon provides a list of states and territories with laboratories that are using COVID-19 viral tests. For more information, see Testing in U.S. Clinicians should direct testing questions to their state health departments. Commercial reference laboratories are also able to offer a larger volume of testing for SARS-CoV-2.
CDC has guidance for who should be tested, but decisions about testing are at the discretion of state and local health departments and/or individual clinicians.
Healthcare providers should report positive results to their local/state health department CDC does not directly collect these data directly.
See recommendations for prioritization of testing, and instructions for specimen collection at Evaluating and Testing Persons for COVID-19.


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Testing, Diagnosis, and Notification
Should chest CT be used for diagnosis of COVID-19?
Clinicians considering use of chest CT scans for diagnosis or management of
COVID-19 patients should consider whether such imaging will change clinical
management. The American College of Radiology (ACR) recommends that CT should
not be used to screen for COVID-19, or as a first-line test to diagnose
COVID-19, and that CT should be used sparingly and reserved for hospitalized,
symptomatic patients with specific clinical indications for CT. Appropriate
infection control procedures should be followed before scanning subsequent
patients. For more information see, ACR Recommendations for the use of Chest
Radiography and Computed Tomography (CT) for Suspected COVID-19
Infectionexternal iconexternal icon.


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Drugs and Investigational Therapies
What antiviral drugs are available to treat COVID-19?
There are currently no antiviral drugs approved by FDA to treat COVID-19. See
Interim Clinical Guidance for Management of Patients with Confirmed
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

For information on use of investigational drugs for treatment of patients with COVID-19, see Therapeutic Options for Patients with COVID-19.
For information on specific clinical trials underway for treatment of patients with COVID-19 infection, visit clinicaltrials.govexternal icon.


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Patients with Hypertension
Should angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) be stopped in patients with COVID-19?
No. The American Heart Association, the Heart Failure Society of America, and
the American College of Cardiology recommendexternal
icon continuing ACE-I or ARB medications for all patients already
prescribed those medications for indications such as heart failure,
hypertension, or ischemic heart disease. At this time, available evidence
demonstrates no indication of COVID-specific harm from these agents. Several
randomized controlled trials are under way to better answer this important
clinical question. Cardiovascular disease patients diagnosed with COVID-19
should be fully evaluated by a healthcare professional before adding or
removing any treatments, and any changes to their treatment should be based on
the latest scientific evidence. Patients who rely on ACE-Is or ARBs to treat
chronic conditions and have additional questions should speak to their
healthcare provider for individualized management


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Patients with Liver Disease
Should people with COVID-19 and increased ALT or AST be tested for viral hepatitis?
Yes, for your COVID-19 patients with risk factors for viral hepatitis and
elevated hepatic enzymes, consider testing them for hepatitis A virus,
hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus infections. However, elevated alanine
aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) may also be
associated with COVID-19 alone and indicate greater severity of illness. For
more information, review CDC’s Interim Clinical Guidance for Management of
Patients with Confirmed Coronavirus Disease
(COVID-19)


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
COVID-19 Risk
Are pregnant healthcare personnel at increased risk for adverse outcomes if they care for patients with COVID-19?
Pregnant healthcare personnel (HCP) should follow risk
assessment and
infection control guidelines for HCP exposed to patients with suspected or
confirmed COVID-19. Adherence to recommended infection prevention and control
practices is an important part of protecting all HCP in healthcare settings.
Information on COVID-19 in pregnancy is very limited; facilities may want to
consider limiting exposure of pregnant HCP to patients with confirmed or
suspected COVID-19, especially during higher risk procedures (e.g., aerosol-
generating procedures) if feasible based on staffing availability.


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Transmission
When is someone infectious?
The onset and duration of viral shedding and the period of infectiousness for
COVID-19 are not yet known. It is possible that SARS-CoV-2 RNA may be
detectable in the upper or lower respiratory tract for weeks after illness
onset, similar to infections with MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV. However, detection of
viral RNA does not necessarily mean that infectious virus is present. There
are reports of asymptomatic infections (detection of virus with no development
of symptoms) and pre-symptomatic infections (detection of virus prior to
development of symptoms) with SARS-CoV-2, but their role in transmission is
not yet known. Based on existing literature, the incubation period (the time
from exposure to development of symptoms) of SARS-CoV-2 and other
coronaviruses (e.g. MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV) ranges from 2–14 days.


Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Waste Management
Do wastewater and sewage workers need any additional protection when handling untreated waste from healthcare or community setting with either a known COVID-19 patient or PUI?
Wastewater workers should use standard practices including basic hygiene
precautions and
wear the recommended
PPE as
prescribed for their current work tasks when handling untreated waste. There
is no evidence to suggest that employees of wastewater plants need any
additional protections in relation to COVID-19.


Cloth Face Coverings: Questions and Answers
Why do you need to wear cloth face coverings?
In light of new data about how COVID-19
spreads, along with evidence of widespread COVID-19 illness in
communities across the country, CDC recommends that people wear a cloth face
covering to cover their nose and mouth in the community
setting. This is to protect people around you if you are infected but do not
have symptoms.


Cloth Face Coverings: Questions and Answers
When do you need to wear a cloth face covering?
A cloth face covering should be worn whenever people are in a community
setting, especially in situations where you may be near people. These settings
include grocery stores and pharmacies. These face coverings are not a
substitute for social distancing. Cloth face coverings are especially
important to wear in public in areas of widespread COVID-19 illness.


Cloth Face Coverings: Questions and Answers
Why is CDC recommending cloth face coverings instead of medical grade facemasks?
Surgical masks and N95 respirators are in short supply and should be reserved
for healthcare workers or other medical first responders, as recommended by
CDC guidance.


Cloth Face Coverings: Questions and Answers
Who should not wear cloth face coverings?
Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children younger than 2
years of age, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious,
incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cover without assistance.


Cloth Face Coverings: Questions and Answers
Do I still need to stay at least 6 feet away from people if wearing a cloth face covering?
Yes. Wearing cloth face coverings is an additional public health measure
people should take to reduce the spread of COVID-19. CDC still recommends that
you stay at least 6 feet away from other people (social distancing), frequent
hand cleaning and other everyday preventive actions. A cloth face covering is
not intended to protect the wearer, but it may prevent the spread of virus
from the wearer to others. This would be especially important if someone is
infected but does not have symptoms. View CDC’s guidance on how to protect
yourself.


Cloth Face Coverings: Questions and Answers
What type of cloth face covering should be worn?
Cloth face coverings can be made from household items or made at home from
common materials at low cost.


Cruise Ship Crew Member Disembarkations
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are crew members required to use noncommercial travel if they are on a “COVID-free” ship?
At this time, given the limited availability of testing onboard ships and
inconsistent reporting from cruise ships, CDC does not have confirmation or
evidence that any cruise ship is free of COVID-19. We are currently in a phase
of the pandemic where it is necessary to implement strict measures to control
the spread of COVID-19. Just as the American public has a role to play by
practicing social distancing, cruise lines have a role to play in limiting the
contact their crew members have with the public when disembarking. This is why
CDC has provided instructions for the safe disembarkation of crew in a manner
that will not endanger the public’s health. We are hopeful that more cruise
lines will take advantage of the opportunity to use the attestation process.
Crew members who remain at sea and want to disembark should contact their
cruise ship or cruise line about meeting CDC requirements for safe
disembarkation and transport.


Cruise Ship Crew Member Disembarkations
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is CDC requiring that cruise officials sign a legal attestation?
Requiring a signed attestation helps ensure that the information provided by
cruise officials as a condition of disembarking or transferring crew is
truthful and accurate. By signing the legal attestation documents, cruise line
officials certify that the information they provided to CDC is truthful and
accurate. If the information is not truthful and accurate, these officials are
subject to the criminal penalty provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 1001. It is common
to ask corporate officials in other settings to certify that statements made
to the U.S. Government on behalf of the corporate entity are true and correct,
such as in a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing or when seeking
payment reimbursement under Medicare.


Cruise Ship Crew Member Disembarkations
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are legal penalties included in the attestation form?
CDC requires cruise lines to sign an attestation form to verify that the
information they provide to CDC is true and accurate. Legal penalties would
only be applied if the cruise line knowingly submitted a false statement,
which could pose further risk to the public’s health.


Cruise Ship Crew Member Disembarkations
Frequently Asked Questions
Are ships required to comply with the No Sail Order if they are not operating in U.S. waters?
CDC’s No Sail Order (NSO)external
icon applies to all cruise ships operating, or seeking to
operate, in waters subject to U.S. jurisdiction. CDC recommends that all
cruise lines follow the same guidance for safe travel to protect the public’s
health, including conducting a medical screening at disembarkation, providing
face coverings, and advising crew members to stay home for 14 days after
disembarking.
Cruise lines that are unable or unwilling to abide by all elements outlined in
the NSO and CDC’s Interim Guidance for
Cruise Ships During the Period of the No Sail
Order must
remain entirely outside U.S. waters during the period of the NSO. Cruise ships
that expect to operate in U.S. waters in any capacity or for any length of
time must follow all elements outlined in the NSO and in the Interim Guidance,
even while outside of U.S. waters.
However, the NSO does not apply to ships operating entirely outside of U.S.
waters. Foreign jurisdictions may impose their own restrictions or
requirements on cruise ships.


Cruise Ship Crew Member Disembarkations
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CDC’s legal authority for preventing crew who are U.S. citizens from disembarking cruise ships?
CDC is using its legal authority under the No Sail Order and 42 CFR 71.31(b),
71.32(b) to stipulate specific conditions for the safe disembarkation of crew
in a manner that will not endanger the public’s health. Having cruise lines
sign a legal attestation is one method of ensuring that these conditions have
been or will be met. CDC is not detaining crew who are U.S. citizens or
preventing them from entering the United States. We are hopeful that more
cruise lines will take the necessary steps to ensure that their crew members
get home safely in a way that will not risk the health and safety of our
communities.


Cruise Ship Crew Member Disembarkations
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the legal penalties for knowingly submitting a false attestation form?
The sentence for this crime can include 5 years in federal prison and a fine.


Cruise Ship Crew Member Disembarkations
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CDC doing to ensure cruise lines are adhering to the No Sail Order?
CDC has provided Interim Guidance for cruise ships during the period of the No Sail
Order to help inform the plans that cruise lines develop to prevent, detect,
contain, and respond to COVID-19 on their ships.
CDC is committed to the safety and well-being of crew members while onboard
and as they disembark. Crew members on ships in or intending to be in US
waters who have questions about the process for disembarkation or who have
concerns about what their ship is doing to prevent COVID-19 onboard can share
their questions or concerns with CDC by sending an email to
eocevent431@cdc.gov
CDC is also reminding all cruise lines in U.S. waters or seeking to operate in
U.S. waters of these requirements. With the assistance of its federal, state,
and local partners, CDC stands ready to direct ships that do not comply to
leave U.S. waters. CDC also reminds cruise ship operators that those who do
not comply may be subject to criminal penalties.


Cruise Ship Crew Member Disembarkations
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements of the attestation that cruise lines are required to sign before crew can disembark, or transfer to another ship?
By signing the attestation form, cruise ship operators agree to follow
specific conditions that are designed to allow crew to safely disembark while
protecting public health, including the following:

Arrange to transport crew members to their final destination (US or overseas) by industry-chartered private transport, industry-chartered private flights, or personal vehicles (no rental cars, taxis, or ride-share services) with measures in place to ensure neither those involved in transport nor other members of the public are exposed to the disembarking individuals.
Screen disembarking crew members for symptoms of COVID-19.
Ensure crew members with known exposures to COVID-19 are transported separately from those with no known exposure.
Provide face coverings, such as a cloth face covering, to disembarking crew members or confirm that they have their own face coverings.
Instruct disembarking crew members to stay home for 14 days and continue to practice social distancing after reaching their final destination.
Ensure disembarking crew members:
will not stay overnight in a hotel before the flight or at any point until they reach their final destination
will not use public transportation (including taxis, rental cars or ride-share services) to get to the airport/charter flight
will not enter the public airport terminal
will not take commercial aircraft after an initial charter flight
will not have a transportation layover exceeding 8 hours
will not have interaction with the public during their travel home or to their new duty station (e.g., rental car companies, restaurants, other public areas)


Event Planning and COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Confirmed case of COVID-19 at an event
What steps should I take if an attendee or staff person develops symptoms of COVID-19 while at the event?
If a staff member or attendee becomes sick at your event, separate them from
others as soon as possible and until they can go home. Provide them with
clean, disposable facemaskspdf iconpdf
icon
to wear, if available. If not available, provide them with a tissue or some
other way to cover their coughs and sneezes. If needed, contact emergency
services for those who need emergency care. Public transportation, shared
rides, and taxis should be avoided for sick persons. Be sure to contact local
public health officials regarding the possible case of COVID-19 at your event
and how to communicate with staff and attendees about possible exposure to the
virus. Read more about preventing the spread of COVID-19 if someone is
sick.


Event Planning and COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Planning and Preparedness
What are things to consider when determining if an event needs to be postponed or canceled?
Consult with local public health officials and continually assess, based on
current conditions, whether to postpone, cancel, or significantly reduce the
number of attendees (if possible) at an event or gathering. When determining
if you should postpone or cancel a large gathering or event, consider the:

Overall number of attendees or crowd size.
Number of attendees who are at higher risk of developing serious illness from COVID-19. This includes older adults and people with underlying health problems such as lung or heart disease and diabetes.
How close together attendees will be at the event.
Potential ways to minimize economic impact to attendees, staff, and the local community.
Amount of spread in local community and the communities from where your attendees are likely to travel.
Needs and capacity of the local community to host or participate in your event.


Event Planning and COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the community
Do I need to cancel an event if there are confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the community?
If there is minimal or moderate spread of COVID-19 in the community, CDC
recommends cancelling an:

event that includes 250 people or more.
3/29/20 UPDATE: The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America—Slow the Spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19):
More Information on Mass Gatherings
Read the White House noticepdf iconexternal iconpdf iconexternal icon

event likely to have 10 or more people who are at higher risk of serious COVID-19 illness. This includes older adults and people with underlying health problems such as lung or heart disease and diabetes.

If there is substantial spread of COVID-19 in the community, CDC recommends
cancelling events of any size. See guidance for definitions of minimal,
moderate, and substantial spreadpdf iconpdf
icon.


Event Planning and COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Planning and Preparedness
What actions can staff and attendees take to prevent the spread of COVID-19?
Encourage staff and attendees to take everyday preventive
actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses,
such as COVID-19. This includes:

Cleaning your hands often.
Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
Staying home when you are sick.
Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.


Event Planning and COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Planning and Preparedness
What actions should I take to plan for an outbreak?
Creating an emergency plan for mass gatherings and large community events,
such as concerts and sporting events, can help protect the health of your
staff, attendees, and the local community. This planning should include:

Encouraging staff and attendees to stay home if sick.
Developing flexible refund policies for attendees.
Providing supplies for attendees and staff that can be used to help prevent the spread of germs.
Consulting local public health officials about your event.


Event Planning and COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Event cancellations
When does CDC recommend that I cancel or postpone an event?
If there is minimal or moderate spread of COVID-19 in the community, CDC
recommends cancelling an:

event that includes 250 people or more.
3/16/20 UPDATE: During the next 15 days, all U.S. events of 10+ people should be cancelled or held virtually.
More Information on Mass Gatherings
Read the White House noticepdf iconexternal iconpdf iconexternal icon

event likely to have 10 or more people who are at higher risk of serious COVID-19 illness. This includes older adults and people with underlying health problems such as lung or heart disease and diabetes.

If there is substantial spread of COVID-19 in the community, CDC recommends
cancelling events of any size. See page 9 of CDC’s Community Mitigation
Framework or definitions of “minimal, moderate, and substantial spreadpdf
iconpdf icon.”


Event Planning and COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Confirmed case of COVID-19 at an event
What is the best way to clean and disinfect the event space after a confirmed case of COVID-19 at my event?
CDC has guidance for cleaning and disinfecting rooms and areas where a person
with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 has visited. See Environmental Cleaning
and Disinfection
Recommendations.


FAQs for Administrators and Leaders at Community- and Faith-Based Organizations
Confirmed COVID-19 case within your organization or facility
What is the best way to clean and disinfect rooms and other areas after a confirmed case of COVID-19?
If you think someone on your staff or one of your members who has been in your
facility might be sick with COVID-19 (see COVID-19
symptoms):

Send the sick person home right away or separate them from others (such as in a separate room just for sick people) until they can go home.
Give them a clean, disposable facemaskpdf icon to wear until they can leave, if available. If not available, provide them with a tissue or some other way to cover their coughs and sneezes.
Do not use of public transportation, shared rides, and taxis to transport the sick person home.
Contact emergency services for those who need emergency care, when needed, and let them know about the person’s symptoms.

Contact local public health officials and communicate with staff, members, and volunteers about possible exposure to the virus.
Read preventing the spread of COVID-19 if someone is sick to learn more.

Local health officials can offer guidance for closing the facility or restricting access. An initial short-term closure may be recommended to allow time for the local health officials to gain a better understanding of the COVID-19 situation.
Implement flexible telework and sick-leave policies for staff, if possible, and provide instructions about how and when to safely return to work.
Consider the need to cancel in-person group activities in other locations. Instead use phone and online (live or recorded) meeting and service options.
Work with local public health officials to decide when it is safe to re-open the facility and your programs and services.


FAQs for Administrators and Leaders at Community- and Faith-Based Organizations
Substantial spread of COVID-19 in the local community
Should my organization cancel or postpone an event if there is substantial spread of COVID-19 in the local community?
You should first follow the directions of your state and local authorities. If
authorities do not have specific directions related to cancelling or
postponing a group event or activity, read CDC guidance on community
events.


FAQs for Administrators and Leaders at Community- and Faith-Based Organizations
Get Prepared
What steps should my organization take to prepare?
To help your organization prepare for the possible spread of
COVID-19, ensure
your emergency operations plan includes key COVID-19 prevention
strategies and covers groups at increased risk for severe
illness. This includes, but is not limited to, older adults
and people of any age with serious underlying medical conditions, such as
heart or lung disease or diabetes.
Be sure all staff, volunteers, and members are familiar with your emergency
operations plan. Ensure you know how to contact them with information and
updates (such as through text message and websites). Alert local public health
officials about large increases in staff or regular member absenteeism,
particularly if absences appear due to respiratory illnesses (such as, the
common cold and the flu, which have
symptoms similar to COVID-19 (fever, cough, and difficulty
breathing). Read CDC’s
guidance to learn more about how to get your
community- or faith-based organization ready for COVID-19. CDC also has
guidance that covers additional strategies to protect your
staff.


FAQs for Administrators and Leaders at Community- and Faith-Based Organizations
Get Prepared
How can my organization get involved to help the local community?
Leaders should talk to staff and members about their concerns, as well as the
potential fears and
anxiety that may
result from rumors or misinformation. Be sure to share resources that provide
reliable COVID-19
information
and speak out to prevent stigma and
discrimination.
Consider how your organization is uniquely able to assist the local community.
Determine whether your organization can work with local health departments, if
needed, so that your facilities can be used as temporary care facilities;
quarantine facilities; or central distribution sites for food, water,
supplies, or medicine. Coordinate with local health officials on ways to
ensure care and services for vulnerable populations. Congregations and
organizations with experience working with underserved communities (e.g.,
people who are incarcerated, people who are experiencing homelessness,
immigrants, refugees, those with limited English proficiency, single-parent
families, public housing residents, migrant-, farm-, and other low-wage
workers) can work with local health officials to ensure these groups receive
appropriate care and services.


FAQs for Administrators and Leaders at Community- and Faith-Based Organizations
Confirmed COVID-19 case within your organization or facility
Should my organization cancel or postpone an event if there is substantial spread of COVID-19 in the local community?
CDC has guidance for cleaning and disinfecting rooms and areas where a person
with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 has visited. See Environmental Cleaning
and Disinfection
Recommendations.


FAQs for Administrators and Leaders at Community- and Faith-Based Organizations
Get Prepared
How should my organization clean the facility to limit spread of the virus?
At least once per day, clean and then disinfect surfaces and objects that are
touched often. Read CDC guidance on cleaning and
disinfecting to learn more. This guidance includes cleaning objects
and surfaces not ordinarily cleaned daily, for example, doorknobs, light
switches, and countertops. Clean with the cleaners typically used. Use all
cleaning products according to the directions on the label. For disinfection,
most common household disinfectants should be effective. A list of products
that are EPA-approved for use against the virus that causes COVID-19 is
available herepdf iconexternal
icon.


FAQs for Administrators and Leaders at Community- and Faith-Based Organizations
Get Prepared
Where can my organization find out if the virus has spread to the local community?
You can get up-to-date information about local COVID-19 activity by keeping in
touch with your local and state public health officialsexternal
icon, and keeping up-to-date
with the CDC website.


FAQs for Administrators and Leaders at Community- and Faith-Based Organizations
Get Prepared
What are things to consider when determining if a group event or gathering needs to be postponed or canceled?
Consult with local public health officials and continually assess current
conditions. Be sure to regularly review the latest recommendations from the
White Houseexternal icon and
CDC for all types of gatherings. When
determining if you should postpone or cancel a gathering or event, consider
the:

Overall number of attendees or crowd size.
Number of people attending who are at higher risk for serious illness.
How close together attendees will be.
Potential economic impact to attendees, staff, and the local community.
Amount of spread in local community and the communities from where your attendees are likely to travel.
Needs and capacity of the local community to host or participate in your event.

Read CDC guidance on mass gatherings and large
events.


FAQs for Administrators and Leaders at Community- and Faith-Based Organizations
Substantial spread of COVID-19 in the local community
What steps should my organization take to protect staff and members if there is substantial spread of COVID-19 in the local community?
If there is substantial spread of COVID-19 in the community, you should:

Follow the directions of your state and local authorities.
Cancel in-person community and faith-based group events or gatherings of any size.
Continue to encourage everyday preventive actions.
Clean and then disinfect surfaces daily.
Develop ways to continue essential services for clients or members, such as meal, mental and spiritual and health, and social service programs.
Consider closing the facility or limiting access to the facility by non-essential visitors and limit non-essential services.

For more information related to group activities or events, read CDC guidance
on community
events.


FAQs for Administrators and Leaders at Community- and Faith-Based Organizations
Get Prepared
How can my organization lower the chance that staff and members will get sick?
The best way to prevent COVID-19 is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Start
by encouraging your staff and members to use everyday preventive
actions (such as washing hands often, avoiding close contact with
people, and covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of the
elbow). Be sure you have supplies on hand (such as such as soap, hand
sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, tissues, trash baskets) for your
staff, volunteers, and those you serve. CDC has posters with messages you can
post in your facility for staff about:

Staying home when sickpdf icon;
How to avoid spreading germs at workpdf icon.

CDC also has information for members, including:

Health promotion materials;
Information on proper handwashing technique; and
Tips for families to help children develop good handwashing habits.

To help limit the spread of the virus, you should also develop flexible sick-
leave and telework
policies so that staff (and volunteers) can stay home when they
are sick, when they need to care for a sick household member, or to care for
their children in the event of temporary school
dismissals. You may also consider replacing in-person
meetings with conference calls, video conferencing, or web-based seminars and
postponing non-essential meetings and travel.


FAQs for Administrators and Leaders at Community- and Faith-Based Organizations
Minimal or moderate spread of COVID-19 in the local community
What steps should my organization take to protect staff and members if there is minimal or moderate spread of COVID-19 in the local community?
If there is minimal or moderate spread of COVID-19 in your community, you
should:

Continue to encourage everyday preventive actions
Clean and disinfect surfaces daily.
Use multiple strategies to increase space between people, especially for those who are at high-risk for serious illness (such as putting at least 6 feet of space between desks and between people who are in line).
Develop ways to continue essential services for clients or members, such as meal, mental and spiritual and health, and social service programs.

Cancel large events or modify into smaller gatherings. (see CDC guidance for more information)

Follow the directions of your state and local authorities.
Encourage people who are at high-risk for serious illness not to attend in-person. Instead, offer call-in or online viewing options.

Postpone or cancel trips that could put staff, volunteers, or members at risk for COVID-19.

Limit access of non-essential visitors to the facility.

For more information related to group activities or events, read CDC guidance
on mass gatherings and large
events.


FAQs for Correctional and Detention Facilities
Administrators at Correctional and Detention Facilities
How to manage a confirmed COVID-19 case in the facility
What should I do if one of my staff might have COVID-19?
If you think someone on your staff is sick with COVID-19 (see COVID-19
symptoms), activate your
emergency plan and notify public health officials. Give them a clean,
disposable facemaskpdf iconpdf
icon and send them
home right away. Close contacts of the sick person (who have been within 6
feet of the sick person or have had direct contact with infectious droplets,
such as from a cough or squeeze) should self-quarantine at for 14 days home
and follow CDC recommended steps for people who are sick with COVID-19
symptoms.


FAQs for Correctional and Detention Facilities
People Who Are Incarcerated at Correctional and Detention Facilities
What should I do if I think I may be sick with COVID-19?
If you think you have been exposed to
COVID-19 and develop a
fever or symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty
breathing, alert facility staff right away to make sure you receive medical
care and protect the people around you from being exposed to the virus.


FAQs for Correctional and Detention Facilities
People Who Are Incarcerated at Correctional and Detention Facilities
What does it mean to be in quarantine?
Anyone who has close contact with a person with COVID-19 will need to stay
away from other people for at least 14 days to make sure they aren’t sick as
well. This means that they will be placed in a room separate from others, or
just with other people who have also been exposed to the same sick person.
During this time, they will be checked for COVID-19 symptoms. If testing is
available, a person in quarantine may be tested several times until medical
staff are sure they do not have the virus.


FAQs for Correctional and Detention Facilities
Administrators at Correctional and Detention Facilities
How to prepare your facility for the possible spread of COVID-19
How can I lower the chance that my staff will get COVID-19?
The best way to protect your staff is to prevent exposure. Start by:

Staying informed about updates to CDC guidance via the CDC COVID-19 website.
Making sure staff are aware of COVID-19 symptoms and requiring staff with any flu-like symptoms to stay home (or be sent home if they develop symptoms while at the facility).
Offering telework for staff when feasible, and exploring ways to revise duties that require face-to-face interaction for staff at high-risk for severe illness.
Ensuring staff use everyday preventive actions (such as washing hands, avoiding touching their eyes, nose, and mouth, covering their cough).
Managing and monitoring staff absenteeism.
Alert local public health officials about large increases in staff absenteeism, particularly if absences appear due to respiratory illnesses (like the common cold or the flu, which have symptoms similar to COVID-19).

Offering flu shots to staff, as limiting cases of flu can speed up the identification of people with COVID-19.
Stocking and providing supplies that help prevent the spread of germs.
Routinely cleaning and disinfecting the facility.
Consult CDC guidance on recommended PPE for persons in direct contact with COVID-19 cases.

Review the Occupational Safety and Health Administration websiteexternal
iconexternal icon and guidance for
businesses and employers to identify any additional strategies the facility can
use within its role as an employer.
Staff evaluating and providing care for people with confirmed or suspected
COVID-19 should follow the CDC Interim Clinical Guidance for Management of
Patients with Confirmed Coronavirus Disease
(COVID-19) and monitor the guidance website regularly for updates to these
recommendations. Facilities without on-site health care capacity should make a
plan for how they will ensure that suspected COVID-19 cases will be medically
isolated, evaluated, tested (if indicated), and provided medical care. Contact
and collaborate with your state, local, tribal, and territorial health
departments for more specific guidance.


FAQs for Correctional and Detention Facilities
People Who Are Incarcerated at Correctional and Detention Facilities
Is it ok for people to visit me?
Anyone who has had flu-like symptoms in the last 24 hours or has been in
contact with someone who has or is suspected to have COVID-19 in last 14 days
should not visit a correctional or detention facility. All visitors will be
screened for symptoms and contact with someone with COVID-19. Staff will also
perform temperature checks on all visitors. Visitors should contact the
facility about their rules on visits before they travel. If a person in the
facility has COVID-19, visitors may not be allowed to enter the facility.
Instead, non-contact visits can be used, when possible.


FAQs for Correctional and Detention Facilities
Administrators at Correctional and Detention Facilities
How to manage a confirmed COVID-19 case in the facility
What do medical staff need to know about caring for a person with COVID-19 in my facility?
Facilities should ensure that incarcerated individuals receive medical
evaluation and treatment at the first sign of COVID-19 symptoms. Staff
evaluating and providing care for confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases should
follow the CDC Interim Clinical Guidance for Management of Patients with
Confirmed Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and monitor the guidance website regularly
for updates to these recommendations. Facilities without on-site healthcare
staff should contact their state, local, tribal, and/or territorial health
department to coordinate effective medical isolation and necessary medical
care. Facilities should have a plan in place to safely transfer persons with
complications from COVID-19 to a local hospital if they require care beyond
what the facility is able to provide. When evaluating and treating persons
with symptoms of COVID-19 who do not speak English, provide a translator when
possible. Spanish and Simplified Chinese
materials are available for those who need them.


FAQs for Correctional and Detention Facilities
People Who Are Incarcerated at Correctional and Detention Facilities
Do I have a greater chance of getting COVID-19?
People in correctional and detention facilities are at greater risk for some
illnesses, such as COVID-19, because of close living arrangements with other
people. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person, through
respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These
droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or be
launched into the air and inhaled into someone’s lungs. It is possible that a
person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on
it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes; however, this is not the
most likely way the virus spreads.


FAQs for Correctional and Detention Facilities
Administrators at Correctional and Detention Facilities
How to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within my facility or from the local community into my facility
What should be included in my screening procedures for new entrants to the facility?
New entrants should undergo temperature screening in addition to the following
verbal screening questions:

“Today or in the past 24 hours, have you had any of the following symptoms? Fever, felt feverish, or had chills? Cough? Difficulty breathing?”
If yes, give them a clean, disposable facemaskpdf icon, separate them from others, and notify medical staff. Ensure only trained personnel wearing recommended PPE have contact with individuals who have or may have COVID-19.
Facilities without on-site healthcare staff should contact their state, local, tribal, and/or territorial health department to coordinate effective medical isolation and necessary medical care.

“In the past 14 days, have you had contact with a person known to be infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)?”
If yes (but no COVID-19 symptoms): Quarantine the individual and monitor for symptoms two times per day for 14 days. During quarantine, facility staff should follow guidance on quarantine, and monitor the person for symptoms two times per day for 14 days.
Facilities without on-site health care staff should contact their state, local, tribal, and/or territorial health department to coordinate effective medical isolation and necessary medical care.


FAQs for Correctional and Detention Facilities
Family Members of People Who Are Incarcerated at Correctional and Detention Facilities
Is it ok for me to visit?
Anyone who has had flu-like symptoms in the last 24 hours or has been in
contact with someone who has or is suspected to have COVID-19 in last 14 days
should not visit a correctional or detention facility. Staff may screen and
perform temperature checks on all visitors. Visitors should contact the
facility about their rules on visits before they travel to a facility. If
there is a person in the facility who has COVID-19, visitors may not be
allowed to enter the facility. Some facilities may arrange for non-contact
visits when possible.


FAQs for Correctional and Detention Facilities
Administrators at Correctional and Detention Facilities
How to manage a confirmed COVID-19 case in the facility
What should I do if a person who is incarcerated in my facility may have COVID-19?
If you think someone who is incarcerated in the facility is sick with COVID-19
(see COVID-19 symptoms),
activate your emergency plan and notify local public health officials. Ensure
that the sick person is wearing a clean, disposable facemaskpdf
icon, and separate
the sick person from others, ideally within an individual housing space and
bathroom. Provide them with tissues for when they cough or sneeze, and a lined
trash receptacle when possible.
Staff evaluating and providing care for confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases
should follow the CDC Interim Clinical Guidance for Management of Patients
with Confirmed Coronavirus Disease
(COVID-19) and monitor the guidance website regularly for updates to these
recommendations. Facilities without on-site healthcare staff should contact
their state, local, tribal, and/or territorial health department to coordinate
effective isolation and necessary medical care. Ensure only trained personnel
wearing recommended personal protective equipment
(PPE) have contact with or transport
individuals who have or may have COVID-19.
People who are incarcerated and have COVID-19 should be placed under medical
isolation in a separate room, ideally with solid walls and a solid door that
closes fully. If not available, refer to the full guidance
document for other options for medical isolation. If
multiple people become ill with COVID-19:

Make every effort to house each ill person individually, with their own bathroom. Refer to the full guidance document for additional options if individual spaces are not available.
Prioritize those at high risk for complications of COVID-19 (older adults, people with severe underlying chronic medical conditions) for individual spaces that are available.

To prevent further spread:

Use options for virtual court appearances, if possible.
Suspend group gatherings.
Limit non-medical transfers of people within and between facilities. Ensure that anyone transferred out is screened for symptoms and contact with a COVID-19 case before leaving the facility.
Ensure that release planning includes screening for COVID-19 symptoms and contact with a case. Coordinate with local public health officials if releasing a symptomatic person to the community.
Use multiple social distancing strategies.
Handle laundry and food items of possible or confirmed cases of COVID-19 with recommended PPE.
Suspend visitation or offer non-contact visitation only.
Consider quarantining all new entrants for 14 days before they enter the facility. (Make sure that new entrants under quarantine are housed separately from other incarcerated people already under quarantine due to contact with a COVID-19 case.)
If releasing someone to a community facility (e.g., a homeless shelter), contact the facility’s staff to ensure adequate time for them to prepare to continue medical isolation, and coordinate with local public health officials.

Provide clear information to staff and people who are incarcerated about the
presence of COVID-19 cases within the facility. Close contacts of the sick
person (who have been within 6 feet of the sick person or had direct contact
with infectious droplets, such as from a cough or squeeze) should be placed
under quarantine for at least 14 days. Follow CDC
guidance on
quarantining close contacts of people with COVID-19.
If separate spaces for individual quarantined people are not available, refer
to the full guidance document for other
options. Monitor symptoms twice per day and
move anyone developing symptoms to medical isolation right away (after
ensuring they are wearing a face mask). Quarantined people at high risk for
complications of COVID-19 (older adults, people with severe underlying chronic
medical conditions) should not be housed with other quarantined people if at
all possible.


FAQs for Correctional and Detention Facilities
Staff at Correctional and Detention Facilities
What does it mean to be in quarantine?
Anyone who has close contact with a person with COVID-19 will need to stay
away from other people for at least 14 days to see whether symptoms develop.
If you are a close contact of a person with COVID-19, you should self-
quarantine at home by staying in a separate room away from others. Read
Caring for Yourself at Home and What To Do if You Are
Sick to learn
more.


FAQs for Correctional and Detention Facilities
Administrators at Correctional and Detention Facilities
How to prepare your facility for the possible spread of COVID-19
How can I lower the chance that people who are incarcerated will get COVID-19?
The best way to prevent illness among people who are incarcerated is to
prevent exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19. Start by:

Staying informed about updates to CDC guidance via the CDC COVID-19 website.
Making sure people who are incarcerated are aware of COVID-19 symptoms and remind them to notify staff right away if they might be sick.
Posting information about and ensuring they use everyday preventive actions (such as washing hands, avoiding touching their eyes, nose, and mouth, covering their cough).
Stocking up and providing free access to soap (preferably liquid soap to promote use), tissues, and hand drying supplies, as well as hand sanitizer (where permitted based on security restrictions).
Conducting temperature checks and screening all new entrants, staff, and visitors for flu-like symptoms during the last 24 hours, and any contact they may have had with someone infected with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
Offering flu shots to people who are incarcerated, as limiting cases of flu can help speed the identification of people with COVID-19.
Routinely cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects that are frequently touched.


FAQs for Correctional and Detention Facilities
Administrators at Correctional and Detention Facilities
How to manage a confirmed COVID-19 case in the facility
What steps do I need to take to implement quarantine in my facility?
Close contacts of a sick person (who have been within about 6 feet of the sick
person or have had direct contact with infectious droplets, such as from a
cough or squeeze) should be placed under quarantine for 14 days to determine
if they develop symptoms. CDC has developed
guidance on
quarantining close contacts of people with COVID-19. Be sure to monitor
symptoms twice a day and move anyone developing symptoms to medical isolation
right away, after ensuring that they are wearing a face mask. Individuals
under quarantine should stay within the quarantine space, including when
eating their meals, using the bathroom, and receiving medical evaluation.
Laundry of people in quarantine can be washed with the laundry of others.
Individuals handling laundry should wear recommended
PPE, should not shake the laundry,
and should clean their hands often.
Ideally, people under quarantine due to contact with a COVID-19 case should be
housed individually. If separate spaces in a facility are not available, refer
to CDC’s full guidance document for correctional and detention centers for
other options. People at high
risk for complications of COVID-19 (older adults, people with severe
underlying chronic medical conditions) should not be housed with other
quarantined people if at all possible. Facilities without enough space or
without onsite healthcare capacity should coordinate with local public health
officials.
Individuals in quarantine can be released from quarantine back to their
previous housing arrangement in the facility if they have not developed
symptoms during the 14-day time period.


FAQs for Correctional and Detention Facilities
Staff at Correctional and Detention Facilities
How can I lower the chance that I will get COVID-19?
The best way to prevent illness is to take steps to avoid being exposed to
this virus. Start by ensuring you and others around you use everyday
preventive actions
(such as washing hands often, avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth,
and covering your cough). Read How to Protect
Yourself to learn more.
If there is spread of COVID-19 in the community close to the facility, you
will be asked daily about symptoms over the last 24 hours and any contact you
had with someone infected with COVID-19 in the last 14 days. Your temperature
will also be checked daily.


FAQs for Correctional and Detention Facilities
Staff at Correctional and Detention Facilities
What should I do if I think I may be sick with COVID-19?
If you think you have been exposed to
COVID-19 and develop a
fever or symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty
breathing, stay home. If you are at work, alert your supervisor right away and
go home. Read What To Do if You Are Sick to learn more.


FAQs for Correctional and Detention Facilities
People Who Are Incarcerated at Correctional and Detention Facilities
How can I lower the chance that I will get COVID-19?
The best way to prevent illness is to take steps to avoid being exposed to
this virus. Start by ensuring you and others around you use everyday
preventive actions (such as washing hands often, avoiding touching your
eyes, nose, and mouth, and covering your cough). Read How to Protect
Yourself to
learn more.


FAQs for Correctional and Detention Facilities
Family Members of People Who Are Incarcerated at Correctional and Detention Facilities
What does it mean if someone I know is in quarantine?
Anyone who has close contact with a person with COVID-19 will need to put into
quarantine for at least 14 days. This means that they will be placed in a room
separate from others, until staff are sure that they don’t have symptoms.
During this time, they will be checked for COVID-19 symptoms twice a day. If
testing is available, a person in quarantine may be tested several times until
medical staff are sure they do not have the virus.


FAQs for Correctional and Detention Facilities
Staff at Correctional and Detention Facilities
Do I have a greater chance of getting COVID-19?
Staff and people incarcerated in correctional and detention facilities are at
greater risk for some illnesses, such as COVID-19, because of the close living
arrangements inside the facility. The virus is thought to spread mainly from
person-to-person, through respiratory droplets produced when an infected
person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of
people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. It may be
possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that
has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their
eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. This is
why washing your hands regularly and avoid close contact with other people
when possible prevents illness.


FAQs for Correctional and Detention Facilities
Administrators at Correctional and Detention Facilities
How to manage a confirmed COVID-19 case in the facility
Should I allow visitors into the facility?
If there is a case of COVID-19 in your facility, suspend contact visitation
programs. Instead, use virtual visitation when possible.


FAQs for Correctional and Detention Facilities
Administrators at Correctional and Detention Facilities
How to prepare your facility for the possible spread of COVID-19
What steps should I take to prepare my facility?
Because of close contact and the number of people in correctional and
detention facilities (including prisons and jails), staff and people who are
incarcerated are at greater risk for the spread of germs. To help your
facility prepare for the possible spread of
COVID-19, update your emergency operations plan. This includes:

Adding key COVID-19 prevention strategies and posting information in the facility on how to limit the spread of germs.
Reminding staff to stay home when sick.
Identifying points of contact for local public health agencies.
Identifying physical locations (dedicated housing areas and bathrooms) where you can medically isolate incarcerated persons, as well as where to quarantine known close contacts of people with COVID-19.
Follow guidance on medical isolation and quarantine.
Medical isolation and quarantine locations should be separate.

Offering flu shots to staff and people who are incarcerated, because limiting cases of flu can help speed the identification of people with COVID-19.
Developing ways to continue providing critical services, such as mental health support.
Ensuring adequate stocks of hygiene, cleaning, and medical supplies.
Hygiene: Soap (preferably liquid to promote use), tissues, and hand drying supplies, as well as hand sanitizers, when possible. Ensure no-cost access to soap.
Cleaning: EPA-registered disinfectantsexternal icon effective against the virus that causes COVID-19
Medical supplies : Supplies for daily clinic needs, personal protective equipment (PPE), and testing

Creating and testing communications plans to share critical information.
Setting up systems to safely transfer people between facilities and identifying alternative strategies to in-person court appearances, when possible.
Prevent confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases and their close contacts from being transferred between jurisdictions and facilities unless necessary for medical evaluation, medical isolation/quarantine, clinical care, extenuating security concerns, or to prevent overcrowding.

Planning for staff absenteeism.

Follow CDC guidance on recommended PPE for staff who will have direct
contact with an individual with possible COVID-19 infection, or infectious
materials. Make contingency plans for the likely event of PPE shortages.
Follow the CDC Interim Clinical Guidance for Management of Patients with
Confirmed Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and monitor the guidance website regularly
for updates for staff evaluating and providing care for confirmed or suspected
COVID-19 cases. When no on-site healthcare capacity is available, make a plan
for how to ensure that people suspected to have COVID-19 will be medically
isolated, evaluated, tested (if indicated), and provided medical care. Contact
and collaborate with your state, local, tribal and territorial health
departments for more specific guidance.


FAQs for Correctional and Detention Facilities
Administrators at Correctional and Detention Facilities
How to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within my facility or from the local community into my facility
What is a safe way to perform temperature checks?
Staff performing temperature checks should follow these steps:

Wash hands thoroughly.
Put on a face mask, eye protection (goggles or disposable face shield that fully covers the front and sides of the face), gown/coveralls, and a single pair of disposable gloves.

Check the person’s temperature.

If performing a temperature check on multiple individuals, ensure that a clean pair of gloves is used for each individual and that the thermometer has been thoroughly cleaned in between each check.
If disposable or non-contact thermometers are used and the screener did not have physical contact with an individual, gloves do not need to be changed before the next check. If non-contact thermometers are used, they should be cleaned routinely as recommended by CDC for infection control.

Remove and discard PPE.

Wash hands thoroughly.


FAQs for Correctional and Detention Facilities
Administrators at Correctional and Detention Facilities
How to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within my facility or from the local community into my facility
How should the facility be cleaned to limit spread of the virus?
To limit the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, routinely clean and
disinfect surfaces and objects that are touched often. Read CDC guidance on
cleaning and disinfecting to learn more. This may include cleaning objects and
surfaces not ordinarily cleaned daily, such as doorknobs, light switches, and
countertops. Clean with the cleaners typically used. Use all cleaning products
according to the directions on the label. For disinfection, most common EPA-
registered household disinfectants should be effective. A list of products
that are EPA-approved for use against the virus that causes COVID-19 is
available herepdf iconexternal iconpdf iconexternal
icon.


FAQs for Correctional and Detention Facilities
Administrators at Correctional and Detention Facilities
How to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within my facility or from the local community into my facility
What steps should I take to protect my staff and people who are incarcerated if there is spread of COVID-19 in the local community close to my facility?
If COVID-19 is known to be spreading in the local community close to your
facility, but there are no confirmed cases among people who are incarcerated,
staff, or visitors who have been inside the facility within the past 14 days:

Implement operational actions:

Restrict non-essential transfers of people between facilities and systems.
Use alternative strategies to limit in-person court appearances where possible.
Consider suspending co-pays for incarcerated persons seeking medical evaluation for COVID-19 symptoms.
Require staff to stay home if they are sick.
Consider suspending visitation or offering non-contact visits only.
Do not allow non-essential vendors, volunteers, or tours into the facility.
Consider suspending work release programs.

Clean and disinfect the facility:

Use CDC recommendations for cleaning and disinfection during the COVID-19 response to routinely clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are frequently touched, especially in common areas.
Use household cleaners and EPA-registered disinfectants effective against the virus that causes COVID-19external iconexternal icon

Focus on good hygiene:

Remind staff, visitors, and people who are incarcerated to use everyday preventive actions (such as washing hands, avoiding touching their eyes, nose, and mouth, covering their cough).

Provide free access to soap (preferably liquid soap) and access to running water, hand dryers, tissues, and no-touch trash cans, when possible.

Continually restock hygiene supplies throughout the facility.

Consider increasing the number of staff and/or other people who are trained to clean common areas to ensure they are cleaned on a continual basis.

Conduct screenings for symptoms and fever on all new entrants, staff, and visitors prior to entering the facility and follow guidance.

Use options to increase social distancing (increasing the physical space between people in the facility, ideally at least 6 feet between people, regardless of whether or not they have symptoms):

Increase space between people who are incarcerated in holding cells and when in line.
Stagger mealtimes and time in recreation spaces.
Limit interactions in large group settings and group programs.
When possible, place beds at least 6 feet apart and have people sleep head-to-foot.
Find a separate space to check people for COVID-19 that is close to each housing unit instead of having people who are sick walk through the facility to be medically evaluated.
Remind staff to keep 6 feet apart from an individual with respiratory symptoms when possible.

Communicate regularly:
Provide up-to-date information and remind and encourage people who are incarcerated and staff to report COVID-19 symptoms to staff right away.


FAQs for Correctional and Detention Facilities
Administrators at Correctional and Detention Facilities
How to manage a confirmed COVID-19 case in the facility
What is the best way to clean and disinfect my facility after a confirmed case of COVID-19?
Follow guidance for cleaning and
disinfecting rooms and areas where a person with suspected or confirmed
COVID-19 have visited, including transport vehicles.
Ensure staff or people who are incarcerated wear appropriate PPE when cleaning
the facility and handling food service items of people with possible or
confirmed COVID-19. Laundry of a person with COVID-19 may be washed with the
laundry of other individuals. Individuals handling laundry should wear
recommended PPE, should not
shake the laundry, and should clean their hands often to prevent spread of
COVID .


FAQs for Correctional and Detention Facilities
Family Members of People Who Are Incarcerated at Correctional and Detention Facilities
Do people who are incarcerated have a greater chance of getting COVID-19?
People in correctional and detention facilities are at greater risk for
illnesses, such as COVID-19 because of their close living arrangements with
other people. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person,
through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or
sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are
nearby or be launched into the air and inhaled into someone’s lungs. It is
possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that
has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes; however,
this is not the most likely way the virus spreads.


FAQs for Correctional and Detention Facilities
Administrators at Correctional and Detention Facilities
How to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within my facility or from the local community into my facility
Should I allow visitors into the facility if there is spread of COVID-19 in the community close to my facility?
If there is spread of COVID-19 in the community close to your facility,
consider suspending contact visits. If contact visits continue, all potential
visitors should be asked:

“Today or in the past 24 hours, have you had any of the following symptoms? Fever, felt feverish, or had chills? Cough? Difficulty breathing?”
“In the past 14 days, have you had contact with a person known to be infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)?”

Staff should also perform temperature checks for all visitors and volunteers.
Any visitor who answers yes to one of these questions or who declines
screening should not be allowed into the facility. When possible, facilities
should let potential visitors know about these rules before they travel to the
facility. Facilities can place posters in visiting areas and ask people who
are incarcerated to inform their family members and visitors about these
rules.


FAQs for Law Enforcement Agencies and Personnel
Are first responders being prioritized for those who will be tested for COVID-19?
At this time, first responders with
symptoms are listed
as high priority for getting tested for COVID-19 as part of CDC’s Criteria to
Guide Evaluation and Laboratory Testing for
COVID-19.


FAQs for Law Enforcement Agencies and Personnel
How can law enforcement agencies get personal protective equipment (PPE) when they are in short supply?
CDC is aware of shortages of PPE nationwide. Law enforcement leaders should
contact their localexternal icon and
state public
health departments and emergency preparedness partners to discuss options. CDC
has developed strategies for optimizing the supply of
PPE, including N95
respirators, gowns, eye protection, and facemasks.


FAQs for Law Enforcement Agencies and Personnel
Should law enforcement agencies screen personnel for signs and symptoms of COVID-19?
Law enforcement agencies should encourage all personnel to self-monitor for
symptoms before they come to work. Workers who have
symptoms (fever,
cough, or shortness of breath) should notify their supervisor and stay home.
They can also enter their symptoms into the CDC Self-
Checker to determine
whether they need to seek medical care. Law enforcement agencies should ensure
that sick leave policies are flexible and consistent with public health
guidance, and
that employees are aware of and understand these policies.


FAQs for Law Enforcement Agencies and Personnel
If law enforcement takes a person into custody who exhibits symptoms of COVID-19, where should they take the person for intake processing (such as jail, hospital, or some other facility)?
All persons taken into custody should be given a facemask or cloth face
covering to wear as part of universal source
control. A
facemask or cloth face covering may help protect others nearby if these people
are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.
If a person taken into custody exhibits signs and
symptoms of COVID-19
(cough, fever, or shortness of breath), the person should be assessed for
transport to a healthcare facility for further evaluation and management.
Medical evaluation during intake processing may be necessary, especially if
COVID-19 is suspected. If, at any point, it is determined that the person
taken into custody needs medical care, transportation should be coordinated
with EMS providers and the receiving healthcare facility.
If a person taken into custody does not show any symptoms of COVID-19, he or
she should still be isolated as much as feasible during intake processing.
CDC has additional guidance for correctional and detention
facilities that may be useful.


FAQs for Law Enforcement Agencies and Personnel
Is there any specific guidance for protecting police canines from COVID-19 exposure?
We are still learning about the virus, but it appears that it can spread from
people to animals in some situations. Therefore, CDC recommends that people
sick with COVID-19 restrict contact with animals until more information is
known about the virus.

If a police canine that has been exposed to a person or setting with COVID-19 develops a new illness, contact your veterinary clinic and let them know that a working dog with a COVID-19 exposure has developed a new illness.
Your veterinarian can evaluate your pet and determine the next steps for your pet’s treatment and care. For more information, please see CDC’s If You Have Animals guidance.
Do not use products not approved for use on animals to try to clean a police canine’s fur or paws.


FAQs for Law Enforcement Agencies and Personnel
Should law enforcement personnel and other first responders take additional precautions when coming home, even if they have no symptoms of COVID-19, to avoid potentially exposing household members?
CDC recommends that law enforcement personnel practice everyday
measures to
protect their household members from becoming ill. These measures include:

hand hygiene
covering coughs and sneezes
disinfecting frequently touched surfaces daily

Many law enforcement personnel routinely change out of their uniforms at the
station and wear street clothes and shoes home. Laundry services for uniforms
may be provided by law enforcement agencies. Continuing this practice may help
minimize the potential of transmitting the virus that causes COVID-19 and
other potential take-home exposures. Law enforcement personnel should perform
hand hygiene after changing out of
uniforms.
They also should have a plan for household members who are at higher risk for
severe illness from COVID-19.