Low Risk, Medium Risk & High Risk Exposure to COVID-19: What’s the Difference?

With the first few cases of COVID-19 community spread confirmed in Lubbock County this week, the City of Lubbock has highlighted the difference between low risk, moderate risk and high risk exposure to the coronavirus, as well as what to do if you know you've had any of the three types of exposure.

Sunday night, the City released a revised list of local locations where there was a low risk of COVID-19 exposure. Here's what that low-risk exposure means:

Low risk: Being in the same indoor environment (e.g. a classroom, a hospital waiting room) as a person with symptomatic laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 for a prolonged period of time but not meeting the definition of close contact. Management is self-observation and self-assess for temperature and symptoms; practice social distancing; immediate isolation if you become symptomatic; stay at home; seek medical advice if you develop severe symptoms.

Medium risk: Close contact with a person with symptomatic laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. Living in the same household as, as intimate partner of, or caring for a person in a non-healthcare setting (such as a home) to a person with symptomatic laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection while consistently using recommended precautions for home care and home isolation. Management is self-monitoring; taking temperature daily and watch for signs and symptoms; recommendation is remain at home or in a comparable setting; practice social distancing; immediate isolation and notification to the health department if symptomatic.

High risk: Living in the same household as, being an intimate partner of, or providing care in a non-healthcare setting (such as a home) for a person with symptomatic laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection without using recommended precautions for home care and home isolation. Management is active monitoring and daily contact with the health department; restriction to home; and immediate isolation and notification to the health department if symptomatic.

The full PDF can be viewed below or by clicking here.

Lubbock Mayor Dan Pope on Monday said he doesn't believe sheltering in place is needed in Lubbock right now.

Dallas County, Bell County, McLennan County and Travis County have all either issued a shelter in place order, or will do so this week.

To keep updated on confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Lubbock County, bookmark this page.

You can watch the City of Lubbock's Monday press conference and Q&A below.