COVID-19 FAQs

What You Can Do To Protect Yourself and Others

  • If you are vaccinated, wear a mask in public indoor settings if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.
  • If you are unvaccinated, wear a mask in public indoor settings.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • Stay home if you are sick and do not go out in public until you are free of fever and any other symptoms for at least 72 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. Tylenol, ibuprofen, cough suppressants). Follow COVID-19 testing and quarantine guidance.

COVID-19 Testing & Quarantine Guidance

The Dubuque County Public Health Incident Management Team is encouraging residents to follow these guidelines for COVID-19 testing and quarantine.

  • Rapid COVID-19 testing by healthcare providers should be reserved for symptomatic patients only.
  • Testing for documentation of being COVID negative for travel, school, work, or attending events should utilize regular (non-rapid) testing from pharmacies, TestIowa take-home kits, or healthcare providers. 
  • Local testing options

Quarantine is a necessary mitigation strategy while awaiting testing and testing results for unvaccinated, exposed, non-symptomatic individuals.

  • Quarantine for 10 days after exposure or symptoms appear.  
  • You may shorten the quarantine if, after day 7, you receive a negative test result (the test must occur on day 5 or later after exposure or symptoms appear) 

People who are fully vaccinated do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have symptoms. However, fully vaccinated people should get tested 3-5 days after their exposure, even if they don’t have symptoms, and wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until their test result is negative.


Other Frequently Asked Questions

I have COVID-19 symptoms. What should I do?

If you have a fever or cough, you might have COVID-19. Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home. If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Keep track of your symptoms, and take steps to care for yourself and to help protect other people in your home and community.


When should I seek emergency medical attention?

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion or inability to arouse
  • Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all-inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.


What should I do if someone in my home is sick?

Provide support and help cover basic needs.

  • Continue to practice everyday preventative actions.
  • Keep the ill person in a separate room from others in the household.
  • Keep surfaces disinfected.
  • Avoid sharing personal items.
  • Check your temperature daily. If your fever is 100.5 or higher contact your healthcare provider.
  • Do not go out of your home, stay home and let family or friends bring food and essentials to your doorstep.
  • Practice self-isolation at home for 14 days after your family member became ill to make sure you will not develop symptoms.

More information on caring for someone sick at home. (Spanish, Marshallese)


What should I do if my child is sick?

Based on available evidence, children do not appear to be at higher risk for COVID-19 than adults. While some children and infants have been sick with COVID-19, adults make up most of the known cases to date.  

The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar in children and adults. However, children with confirmed COVID-19 have generally shown mild symptoms. Reported symptoms in children include cold-like symptoms, such as fever, runny nose, and cough. Vomiting and diarrhea have also been reported.

If you see any sign of illness consistent with symptoms of COVID-19, particularly fever, cough, or shortness of breath, call your healthcare provider and keep your child at home and away from others as much as possible. Follow CDC’s guidance on what to do if you are sick.