According to the General Directorate of Health (DGS), contacts of confirmed cases in the context of outbreaks in homes and other structures for the elderly, long-term care units, shelter for children and young people at risk are still required to be isolated.

The same is true for those who live or work in Residential Structures for the Elderly (ERPI) or other similar places dedicated to elderly people, who are also considered high-risk contacts and, therefore, subject to prophylactic isolation.

According to the DGS, “in exceptional situations, the Health Authority may determine, based on a case-by-case risk assessment, the prophylactic isolation of contacts of confirmed cases of infection by SARS-CoV-2/covid-19 in other circumstances not provided for in this standard".

"The end of the prophylactic isolation is established after obtaining a negative result in a TAAN laboratory test for SARS-CoV-2, carried out on the 10th day after the date of the last exposure to the confirmed case", states the standard.

However, they add that in situations where the risk of transmission chains to people with health conditions associated with a serious evolution contracting covid-19, the health authority can determine prophylactic isolation until the 14th day after exposure to confirmed case of infection.

The DGS also says in the document that people with complete vaccination (considered low-risk contacts) who do not need to be isolated should, however, limit contacts with other people, reducing their travel to what is essential, such as going to work or to school. They should also avoid contact with people with conditions associated with a higher risk of developing a severe case of covid-19.

As for high-risk contacts, "active surveillance" must be carried out during the defined prophylactic isolation period.

According to the DGS, all positive case contacts must adopt measures such as the use of a mask in any circumstance (indoor and outdoor spaces) for 10-14 days from the date of the last exposure, self-monitoring and daily recording of any symptoms compatible with covid-19 and measure body temperature once a day, contacting SNS24 if symptoms compatible with covid-19 appear.

For contacts with a history of infection during less than six months, the measures provided for in the standard do not apply, with the exception of the adoption of measures for 10 to 14 days, such as the use of a mask and self-monitoring of symptoms.

As for laboratory testing, high-risk contacts should perform the first as early as possible, ideally by the 5th day after the date of the last exposure to the confirmed case, and the second on the 10th day. Low-risk contacts (such as those who are vaccinated) should ideally undergo the test by the 5th day.

The standard also stipulates that in 'cluster' or outbreak situations, all contacts (high and low risk) must be tested for SARS-CoV-2, preferably rapid antigen test (TRAg).