What if a household member is ill?

The CDC recommends the following if needing to care for a household member who has COVID-19.

Make sure to understand the healthcare provider’s instructions for medication(s) and care. You should help the patient with basic needs in the home and provide support for getting groceries, prescriptions, and other personal needs.

Monitor the patient’s symptoms. If the patient is getting sicker, call his or her healthcare provider and tell them if the patient has laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. This will help the healthcare provider’s office take steps to keep other people in the office or waiting room from getting infected.

Household members should stay in another room or be separated from the patient as much as possible. Household members should use a separate bedroom and bathroom, if available.

Prohibit visitors who do not have an essential need to be in the home.

Household members should care for any pets in the home. Do not handle pets or other animals while sick. For more information, see COVID-19 and Animals.

Make sure that shared spaces in the home have good air flow, such as by an air conditioner or an opened window, weather permitting.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

For more information visit cdc.gov.