Updated January 21, 2022

 

The BCCDC has updated their website on When to get a Covid-19 test, If you have Covid-19 and Close contacts and contact tracing.  Full details can be found by clicking on any of the links provided.

 

When to get tested:

• Health Authorities have learned that most people don’t need testing. Testing is most needed for people who have symptoms of COVID-19 and
  • are at risk of more severe disease and currently eligible for treatment
  • live or work in high-risk settings such as healthcare workers.
• If you have mild symptoms of COVID-19, you do not need a test. Stay home and away from others until you feel well enough to return to your regular activities, and you no longer have a fever.

 

If you have symptoms of Covid-19 but testing not recommended

If you were not recommended for testing but have symptoms of COVID-19, there is no set amount of time for self-isolation. Instead, you'll need to self-isolate until your symptoms improve, you no longer have a fever, and you feel well enough to return to your normal activities.

 

You test positive for Covid-19, and are fully vaccinated

If you test positive for COVID-19 and are fully vaccinated, you need to self-isolate at home for 5 days AND until your symptoms improve and you no longer have a fever. 

• After your self-isolation period, you also need to avoid non-essential visits to high-risk settings for 5 days. 
• You do not need to be re-tested for COVID-19 to end your self-isolation period and return to 

 

You test positive for Covid-19 and re NOT fully vaccinated

• If you are 18 years of age or older, test positive for COVID-19, and are not fully vaccinated, you need to self-isolate at home for 10 days AND until you no longer have a fever AND your symptoms improve.  You do not need to be re-tested for COVID-19 after your self-isolation period ends to return to normal activities; you can remain test positive for many weeks, even after you are no longer infectious.

• If you are under 18 years of age, test positive for COVID-19, and are not fully vaccinated, you need to self-isolate at home for 5 days AND until you no longer have a fever AND your symptoms improve.  You do not need to be re-tested for COVID-19 after your self-isolation period ends to return to normal activities; you can remain test positive for many weeks, even after you are no longer infectious.

 

Close contacts and contact tracing:

BCCDC defines a close contact as someone you have been near for at least 15 minutes when health and safety measures were not in place or were insufficient.   

Whether you deem yourself to be a close contact or have been notified of a COVID-19 exposure or not, everyone should routinely monitor symptoms of COVID-19 and stay home if you feel unwell or develop symptoms.

If symptoms develop, stay at home until you are well enough to participate in your usual activities and check to see if testing is recommended. 

Most people do not need testing and can self-manage even if they are known close contacts.

 

If you are required to enter self-isolation protocols due to any of the above guidelines

1. Follow all requirements as per the BCCDC website.
2. If you had any symptoms at any point, complete this form to allow the association to track all cases within individual and across all team/skill group/clinic settings.
3. Inform your team HCSP.
4. Update TeamSnap availability.

 

In addition to the above VMHA encourages all families to continue to self monitor on a daily basis.

 

Please reach out to vp3@vmha.com and cc’d to registrar@vmha.com should you have any questions.