After being in contact with a coronavirus-positive person, you can be infected with Sars-Cov-2. From then on, you are considered a "contact case" and must follow a test and isolation protocol. This was updated on March 21 with an important change for the unvaccinated. From now on, the vaccination status is no longer taken into account for quarantine. Thus, the isolation of contact cases disappears, whether they are vaccinated or not vaccinated. On the other hand, the test is to be carried out. What are the new rules for the unvaccinated? When to do the test when you are in contact? From a family member? When it comes to a child? At school ? Details of the rules in force in France.
What is the definition of a contact case?
By definition, a contact case is a person who has been in contact with a positive Covid-19 case in the absence of measures effective protection, whatever the duration. If you have already had Covid less than 2 months ago, then you are not considered a contact case, recalls the government site MesconseilsCovid.
► Are considered effective protective measures:
►The following are not considered effective protective measures:
What is the protocol to follow for contact cases?
The protocol for the management of contact cases changed on March 21, 2022. It no longer takes into account the person's vaccination status. All contact cases, vaccinated or not, follow the same protocol:
What to do if you are a Covid contact case?
What to do if you are a contact case after having had the covid?
If you have already had the Covid there is less 2 months, then you are not considered a contact case, recalls the government site MesconseilsCovid. This rule applies to adults and children.
What to do if you are a contact case and not vaccinated?
Unvaccinated contact cases are no longer obliged to isolate themselves while waiting to be tested. According to the new protocol, unvaccinated contact cases:
What are the isolation rules if you are in contact?
There is no longer any isolation for contact cases, whether they are vaccinated or not vaccinated against Covid. From now on, isolation only begins when you are positive for Covid.
What should I do if my child is a contact case?
The contact case child should only perform one screening test on D+2. He is not required to isolate himself. At school, however, he must wear the mask for 7 days. Self-tests for children under 12 are covered by health insurance and delivered free of charge in pharmacies.
What to do when you are a contact case at school?
The rules for contact cases at school are as follows:
What to do if you are a contact case in a company?
Contact cases, whether vaccinated or not, are no longer required to isolate themselves since March 21, 2022. On the other hand, you must take a screening test for Covid two days after last contact with positive person. If the self-test or the antigen test is positive, it must be confirmed by a PCR test but the isolation begins as soon as the test result (self-test or antigen) is obtained. Isolation is 7 days for vaccinated people or 10 days for unvaccinated. If the test is negative, there is no isolation. Barrier gestures must be applied (teleworking if possible, wearing the mask in the office for 7 days following contact, washing your hands, etc.).
What to do if you are a contact case of a family member?
Members of the household of a person who has tested positive for coronavirus are considered contact cases. Therefore, they must be tested by PCR, antigen or self-test on D+2 (there is no isolation between D0 and D2). This test is free since they are contact cases. According to the general instructions given by the government (which no longer make a distinction for family members)
When to take the test if you are a contact case?
Contact cases must carry out a Covid screening test (antigenic, PCR or self-test) on D+2 of the last contact with the positive person. Same thing for children. In the case of a positive self-test or antigen, the person must do a confirmation PCR test. Contact cases do not isolate themselves while awaiting the result of their test. Isolation begins if they test positive. The tests are free for contact persons.
What to do if the test is positive?
If the contact person has a positive test, they are contaminated with Covid (a positive self-test or antigen must be confirmed by PCR).
► For positive people with a complete vaccination schedule and for children under 12 years of age: isolation is 7 (full) days after the date of the onset of the signs or the date of the positive test sample. After 5 days, the positive person can be released from isolation if they carry out an antigen test and it is negative and if they have not had any clinical signs of infection for 48 hours. If the test carried out is positive or if the person does not carry out a test, his isolation is maintained at 7 days. She does not carry out a second test on D7.
► For positive people with an incomplete vaccination schedule and for non-vaccinated people: isolation is 10 (full) days after the date of the onset of signs or the date of the positive test sample. After 7 days, the positive person can be released from isolation if they carry out an antigen or PCR test and this is negative and if they have not had any clinical signs of infection for 48 hours. If the test is positive or if the person does not perform a test, the isolation is 10 days.
What if the test is negative?
There is no isolation if the test is negative. It is advisable to take your temperature and monitor the appearance of one of these symptoms:
If one or more symptoms appear, even weakly or if I have doubts, I will do a new test. It is also advisable to wear the mask as soon as you are in contact.
Source:
Evolution of measures to combat Covid-19 as of March 14, 2022, March 15, 2022. DGS.
I have been in risky contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19. French Public Health. March 2022
Evolution of the screening and isolation strategy for Covid-19 cases and contact persons, DGS, February 24, 2022
Improvement of the health situation: following an opinion from the High Council for Public Health made public today, the Government is announcing a relaxation of the health protocol as of February 28. February 11, 2022
Infection or contact case: the new isolation rules for Covid-19 from January 3, 2022. 02/01/2022. Gouvernement.fr
New doctrines for the isolation of Covid-19 cases and the quarantine of contact persons. 2/01/2022
Compensation system for work interruptions for employees and non-employees. November 16, 2021. Ameli.fr
Case definition of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection and high-risk contact Updated on 07/22/2021
