Some interesting information from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control:
SCDHEC responds to emails from concerned South Carolina residents.
- Should I be concerned about going to public places like the grocery store?
Transmission of the illness requires significant close contact with an ill individual. Brief contact in a public setting is not considered a high-risk exposure. DHEC would advise of no additional measures for anyone present in these settings beyond what has been recommended for communities in general. This includes monitoring for symptoms, practicing social distancing, and washing hands often. - I was in the same room/building as someone who tested positive COVID-19, but not in close contact with him/her. What should I do?
If you were not in close contact with someone with COVID-19, your risk of catching the virus from that person is low. Follow the general precautions, including social distancing, washing your hands often and avoid close contact with people who are sick. - What does it mean to be a close contact of someone with COVID-19?
Close contact is defined as being within 6 feet of someone who tested positive for COVID-19 for at least several minutes. The virus is spread primarily from person to person through respiratory droplets from when an infected person coughs or sneezes. 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 or nose. That is why it is so important to wash your hands often and clean frequently touched surfaces at least daily. - I have been around someone else who was exposed to a person with COVID-19. What should I do?
If the person you were in close contact with is not currently sick and you were not around the person with COVID-19, you are not considered exposed to COVID-19. It is recommended to watch for symptoms, avoid close contact with people who are sick, wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, and practice social distancing.
–Tidelines Editors