BCAT News

With the surge of new COVID-19 cases, which according to many experts is mostly due to the Omicron variant, many people are seeking to either schedule tests with health providers or purchase at-home rapid tests.

However, due to the demand many stores are reportedly selling out of the rapid tests shortly after deliveries arrive and online retailers are showing delays in deliveries of up to two weeks. This is not a helpful situation for anyone who was a close contact over the holidays or after returning to work or school this past week.

So what is the advice of experts if you are a close contact with someone who has shown symptoms or has tested positive? We reached out to the Burlington Board of Health for guidance.

Health Director Susan Lumenello explained that if someone knows they have been exposed and they are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated then they should stay home for five days after exposure followed by five days of strict mask wearing.

If someone is fully vaccinated and has been exposed, then, according to the CDC, they do not have to quarantine, Lumenello said. Fully vaccinated means having had your second dose less than six months ago and longer than two weeks ago or, if you had your second dose more than six months ago, you also have had a booster. Despite not having to quarantine, Lumenello did say that even fully vaccinated people should take precautions if they are exposed.

“We know that fully vaccinated people are becoming positive so it is a good idea to wear a mask and stay away from others as much as possible for ten days,” she said. “If your exposure is ongoing (i.e. in the household), you should consider your last exposure to be the last day of isolation for the last positive person in the house.”

And if you do start to feel symptoms after an exposure and cannot get a test Lumenello said you should take that as if you are infected and not chalk it up to another illness.

“If you have been exposed and you become symptomatic but can not get tested, then you should consider yourself to be positive and CDC’s new guidelines for positive individuals is to stay home for five days after becoming symptomatic followed by five days of strict mask wearing,” she said. “Without a test, one would not be able to distinguish covid from a cold or the flu. Because of the high percent positivity rate, if you develop symptoms and are unable to get tested then it is very likely that you have developed covid.”

Lumenello also explained that the way to be most sure you are COVID free is to schedule a test with a medical professional if possible.

“People should remember that at home testing is a helpful tool, however, the most accurate test is the PCR test,” she said. “The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has stated they believe, at this time, that at-home tests are not as accurate towards the beginning or the end of the illness and are most accurate when a person is symptomatic. Therefore, if you are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated and have been exposed, you must stay home for the five days followed by five days of strict masking even if you tested negative.”

Chair of the Board of Health Dr. Ed Weiner added that the current advice they have for the public is the same it has been all along.

“Our message has not changed,” he said. “Get vaccinated, get boosted, wear a mask indoors and in public, social distance when appropriate and wash your hands.”

Finally, Dr. Weiner urged residents to get vaccinated against the flu as well because the symptoms of the flu can be similar to COVID and if it is widespread in the community it can further exacerbate the issues facing supplies and access to medical appointments.

“Please get your flu shot,” he said. “The Burlington Board of Health is always available for your questions and our website has lots of up-to-date and important information.”