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Contact Tracing: Quarantine & Isolation Resources

Contact tracing is critical to our community's ability to continue limiting the spread of COVID-19. People who participate in contact tracing are actively helping to keep their community safe by helping public health officials track the virus. 
Contact tracing involves educating people who are sick so they understand why they need to isolate, making sure those people have what they need to stay isolated, and identifying additional people who may have been exposed.

Surge Guidance: 1/10/2022

Due to the surge of cases related to the Omicron variant, Lane County Public Health is no longer able to call every COVID-19 case and is moving to an “opt-in” system. If you tested positive and have questions, you can call Lane County Public Health’s Non-Emergency Line at 541-682-1380. A Case Investigator will be available to take your call between 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday – Friday. Please review the rest of this webpage for guidance on isolation and quarantine.

RESOURCES FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS

I tested positive for COVID-19

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, Lane County Public Health advises you observe isolation. For more information on what isolation means, please visit our COVID-19 Guidebook: After Testing.

COVID19 Guidebook: After Testing        

If you are not sure how long you should isolate, please use our Isolation Calculator.

If you recently tested positive for COVID-19 with an at-home test, please fill out the “Reporting a Positive Home COVID-19 Test” online form

If you recently tested positive for COVID-19 at a doctor’s office or a testing site (e.g. McKenzie Willamette Medical Center, University of Oregon, Lane County Public Health), but have not heard from Lane County Public Health, you may request a letter or services using the “Quarantine or Isolation Letter” online form.

If you have questions, please call the Non-Emergency COVID-19 Call Center at 541-682-1380, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday (English/Spanish)

I tested positive for COVID on an at-home test

If you recently tested positive for COVID-19 with an at-home test, please fill out the “Reporting a Positive Home COVID-19 Test” online form.

  • By reporting your positive result, Lane County Public Health will provide you with a Letter and connect you with wraparound services. For a list of the services that are available to the community, please review our “Quarantine & Isolation Resources” document.

How long do I quarantine?

General population – no quarantine

  • Monitor for symptoms for 10 days after last exposure

  • Wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days after last exposure

  • Avoid unnecessary visits with high-risk individuals for 10 days after last exposure

  • Consider testing 5 – 7 days after exposure

  • If test positive or develop symptoms, use our isolation calculator

 

Healthcare workers

Depends on your risk exposure – please see the OHA Guidance

High Risk Exposure

  • If not up to date* on COVID-19 vaccines

    • 10 day quarantine from last exposure

    • 7 day option if test on Day 5 – 7 from last exposure is negative

Low Risk Exposure

  • No quarantine recommended

 

Patients & Residents in healthcare settings

  • 10 day quarantine period

    • 7 day option if test on Day 5 - 7 after exposure is negative & asymptomatic

  • May forgo quarantine for patients or residents that are up to date on COVID vaccine in an effort to mitigate critical issues (e.g., PPE, space, staff)

  • If patient or resident works outside of the facility, may continue to work after exposure if asymptomatic

 

Non-Healthcare Congregate Settings

Includes but is not limited to: homeless shelters and transitional housing

Residents

  • If possible, 10 day quarantine period after last exposure outside of the facility

  • If a resident works or attends school outside of the setting, may continue to attend work or school after exposure if asymptomatic

Staff

  • 10 day quarantine period after last exposure if NOT up to date on vaccination

 

*Up to date = received a COVID-19 booster, or completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna within the last 5 months, or completed the primary series of J&J within the last 2 months. For individuals 5 – 17 years of age, you are considered up to date if you completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines

 

I need a quarantine letter

 If you were recently exposed to COVID-19 and require a letter from Lane County Public Health, you request one using the “Quarantine or Isolation Letter” online form.

I need help with resources to isolate/quarantine

 If you recently tested positive for COVID or were exposed to COVID-19, and require assistance to observe isolation or quarantine, please use our “Requesting a Quarantine or Isolation Letter or Other Resources” online form.

For a list of the services that are available to the community, please review our “Quarantine & Isolation Resources” document 

I was exposed to COVID-19, but I’m fully vaccinated

 If you were up to date on your COVID-19 vaccination* at the time of your exposure to COVID-19 and are not experiencing symptoms, quarantine is not required. It is advised that fully vaccinated persons who were exposed to COVID-19.

  • Get tested for COVID-19 around 5 – 7 days after your exposure – for testing information, call your healthcare provider or visit our Testing Website

  • Wear a mask when you are around other people for at least 10 days after your exposure
  • Monitor for symptoms – if you develop any COVID-19 symptoms, immediately self-isolate, contact your healthcare provider, and use our “I Think I May Have COVID” online form

    *Up to date = received a COVID-19 booster, or completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna within the last 6 months, or completed the primary series of J&J within the last 2 months

    Why am I receiving a letter from LCPH?

    Every person who tests positive for COVID-19 will receive a letter explaining how to safely and effectively isolate at home for the duration of their infectious period.

    When you get tested, please make sure your contact information (mailing address and phone number) are current and up-to-date. That way our letter will arrive quickly to your home.

    How is Lane County addressing at-risk populations?

    LCPH will identify emerging at-risk populations or geographic locations and prioritize our response accordingly. Examples include essential workers, Latinx and people of color living in our county or under-served areas of Lane County with high numbers of COVID-19 cases.

    If you have ideas about groups who need outreach, please call our COVID-19 call center at (541) 682-1380 Monday-Friday with your ideas.

    I need a Quarantine Letter

    If you have recently tested positive for COVID, or were in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID, you may request a quarantine/isolation letter or request resources with this form.

    Patient Privacy and your Medical Information

    Your medical information is protected by HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). All staff and volunteers who are serving as contact tracers have received HIPPA training. Information collected during contact tracing is stored on secure servers that are only accessible to approved Public Health officials.

    We will also not identify you as a possible exposure point when we call your potential contacts. They may be able to make an educated guess, but Lane County will not confirm that information. You may choose to identify yourself to your contacts if you prefer.

    Investigation

    When a contact tracer reaches out to a potential contact, they will ask several questions to confirm your identity (name, date of birth, address). They will also ask for information regarding your gender and ethnicity, as well as your workplace.

    Contact tracers will also ask if you’ve had any COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, cough, shortness of breath and others. If so, they will ask when you first began feeling sick and for how long.

    Finally, contact tracers will ask whether you need help accessing resources during your quarantine.

    Lane County and its contact tracers will not ask for your social security number, banking details or financial information. There will be no requests for payment. If you are contacted by someone who tells you they are a contact tracer, but asks for this kind of information please do not provide that information.

    Lane County and its contact tracers will not ask for your immigration status and will not share information with immigration authorities or law enforcement. The information gathered will be used only by public health officials.

    What if I need help with resources to quarantine/isolate? (Groceries, prescriptions etc.)?

    Please review the Quick Links (below on mobile devices - above right on desktop and tablet devices) for quarantine and isolation resources or the above "Resources for Community Members" section for a list of resources.

    Lane County Public Health may provide a case manager who can connect you with area non-profits and organizations to help.

    This may include assistance with groceries, prescription pick-up, and infection prevention supplies (e.g., thermometers) as well as filing for unemployment, applying for health insurance, applying for utility assistance, and more.

    Lane County may also be able to provide a safe place for community members to isolate.