What is a contact case?When to isolate yourself?What if I am vaccinated?

The COVVI-19 pandemic enjoins everyone to limit their social interactions in order to minimize the number of "contact cases", likely to develop the disease and to transmit it in turn.But by the way, who may be considered "contact case"?How long should a contact case contact remain isolated?

One of your loved ones or your colleagues has been tested positive for COVID-19 and you are afraid of having been contaminated?When should you worry?How long does it take to isolate yourself?When to be tested?And what test do?We take stock.

How do I know if I have a contact with?

A contact case is, as its name suggests, a person who has been in contact with a positive case to COVVI-19, in the absence of effective protection measures throughout the duration of the contact (social distancing, hygiaphone®, plexiglass window, wearing the surgical mask, FFP2, or in category 1 fabric).

This definition has evolved following the opinion of the HCSP (High Council for Public Health), published on June 15, 2021: we make the difference between the at risk-contacts who share the patient's home, and those who do notdo not share.

Health insurance regularly updates the definition of a contact case and the procedures to follow when a person is in contact with a person tested positive for COVVI-19.

High, moderate, negligible risk contact cases...What does it correspond to ?

Health insurance distinguishes three types of contact cases: people at high risk, those at moderate risks, those at negligible risks.In the three cases, the person was in contact with a positive person in COVVI-19 without effective protective measurement.

Who are the high-risk contact people?

Either, anyone who has not received a complete primovaccination diagram (a complete vaccination scheme, before possible reminders) or having received a complete Scheme of Primo-Vaccination for less than 7 days (Cominarty® vaccines of Pfizer, Vaxzeria®D'Astrazeneca and Moderna®) or less than 4 weeks (Janssen® vaccine) or suffering from serious immunosuppression (opinion of the guidance council of the vaccine strategy of April 6, 2021) and:

People with a complete vaccine scheme are no longer considered as high -risk contact cases (DGS press release, July 27, 2021).

Moderate risk-contact people

Either, anyone without serious immunosuppression having received a complete first-vaccination scheme for at least 7 days (Cominarty® vaccines from Pfizer, Vaxzeria® from Astrazeneca and Moderna®) or at least 4 weeks (Janssen® vaccine) and:

Negligible risk-contact people:

Can we be in contact with a contact case?

"Case contacts in contact with contacts are not contact cases," regularly underlines the Ministry of Health.

If we have rubbed shoulders with a contact case, it is advisable to learn about the state of health of the person in question and to respect the barrier gestures.As a precaution, monitor the appearance of symptoms.

Are not considered to be effective protective measures:

When should I be tested after "risk" contact?

In principle, contact people receive a call, SMS or an email orienting them towards the health insurance site which details the procedure to follow.Note: "SMS can take the form of a guided exchange, but health insurance will not ask you to share personal information such as: social security number, bank card number, password...Faced with the resurgence of fraud, stay vigilant, "said the Ministry of Health.

For persons identified in contact with contact with a complete vaccine scheme (recall made in accordance with the requirements of the health pass):

In the event of a positive self-test, the result should be confirmed by a TAG or a RT-PCR test.If the test is positive, the person becomes a case and starts isolation.

For persons identified in contact with an incomplete vaccine scheme and for people in case of non-escape contacts:

If the test is positive, the person becomes a case and starts isolation.

How long does it take to isolate yourself when we are in contact?

Faced with the extremely rapid circulation of the omicron variant in France, more contagious but less serious than the variant Delta hitherto majority, and faced with the fear of a potential disorganization of the company due to a multiplication of contacts, the instructions of'isolation and test are now adapted according to your vaccination situation and your age.

Since January 3, 2022, isolation instructions have been identical regardless of the variant, delta or omicron, and whether we are in contact with a positive person who lives in the same home or not.

How long should I isolate myself if I am the case and vaccinated?

Vaccinated contact people are exempt from isolation, but must respect other measures intended to break the coronavirus transmission chains:

If the first test is positive, stay in isolation 7 days from the test date.No need to do a control test to get out of isolation.

If the first test is negative:

- Limit social interactions, in particular in establishments open to the public where wearing the mask is not possible;- avoiding contact with people at risk of serious form even if they are vaccinated;- wear a category 1 maskin public space;- if you live with the patient: wear a mask at home.

How long should I isolate myself if I am a contact case and am not (completely) vaccinated?

Unaccompanied contact persons, or have an incomplete primary-fucked primovaccination scheme must be immediately carrying out a screening, RT-PCR or antigenic test (for children under the age of 6, a salivary levy can be carried out if the levynasopharyngeal is difficult or impossible).

You should inform the people you were in contact with your situation from 48 hours after your last exposure with the positive person to COVID-19 and recommend that they limit their social and family contacts (contact-warning).Your contacts can make their temperature self -monitoring and monitor the possible appearance of symptoms, with an immediate diagnostic test in the event of symptoms, regardless of age.

A second test is carried out at the end of isolation (7 days after the start of isolation).If this test is negative, isolation can be lifted.If this test is not carried out, the isolation is extended by 7 additional days (except for children under the age of 6).

If your test is positive, the other members of your home are considered to be contact, and must:

What if my child is in contact with school?

Since Monday, January 10, 2022, if the contact person is a child under 12, because a positive case in COVID-19 has declared itself in the class, whether vaccinated or not, here are the rules tofollow :

Furthermore, if a new positive case at COVVI-19 declares itself in the class within a period of less than 7 days, it will not be necessary to perform the 3 screening tests to return to class again.

Is my screening test free?

The self -tests carried out as part of a screening for contact cases (for people with a complete vaccination scheme and children under 12 years old) are supported by health insurance and delivered free of charge in pharmaceutical pharmaceuticals after completionFrom the test to D+0.

RT-PCR and antigenic screening tests have been paid since October 15, 2021 but are reimbursed for vaccinated perosnnes as well as in other cases.Find out in which cases the PCR and antigenic tests remain reimbursed in our article dedicated to COVVI-19 screening tests.

What to do if I have a contact with it and I can't televail?

"To comply with health recommendations, the possibility of working remotely must be considered.It depends on your professional situation, "said health insurance on its site.

Still have doubts ?To take stock of your situation, go to the dedicated page of the Ministry of Solidarity and Health: "I am in contact with COVID, what to do?".A quick questionnaire will allow you to take stock.

What happens when we were in contact with a sick person from COVID-19?, Ameli.FR, January 4, 2022.