In the time of COVID-19, here’s what ‘close contact’ really means – WISHTV.com

FILE - In this March 2, 2021, file photo, socially distanced and with protective partitions students work on an art project during class at the Sinaloa Middle School in Novato, Calif. Public schools have struggled for years with teacher shortages, particularly in math, science, special education and languages. But the pandemic has exacerbated the problem. The stresses of teaching in the COVID-era caused a spike in teacher retirements and resignations. Now that California schools have welcomed students back to in-person learning, they face a new challenge: A shortage of teachers and all other staff, the likes of which some districts say they've never seen. (AP Photo/Haven Daley, File)

by: Dr. Mary Gillis, D.Ed.

Posted: Oct 15, 2021 / 06:24 PM EST / Updated: Oct 15, 2021 / 07:42 PM EST

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) Limiting close contact is an important way to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, researchers say.

But, what is really considered close contact?

Researchers consider close contact as being less than 6 feet away from a potentially infected person for 15 minutes.

But its not just 15 minutes in one sitting. Dr. Christopher Doehring, at Franciscan Health, says theres more to it.

One of the criteria for close contact is a total of 15 minutes of time, either in close contact for that duration or cumulative throughout the day. So, if youre just passing someone or in reasonably close proximity, but its for a brief period of time there shouldnt be much of a concern, Doehring said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention echoes Doehrings statement and considers close contact as anyone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. For example, three individual five-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes.

The agency also says a person is still considered in close contact if one or both people were wearing masks during the times they were together.

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In the time of COVID-19, here's what 'close contact' really means - WISHTV.com