Voyage Healthcare's goals regarding COVID-19 are to minimize exposure and further spread of COVID-19 as much as possible by keeping patients, providers, and staff safe. 

COVID-19 Infection

• What is considered a positive exposure? 

• A positive COVID-19 exposure is defined as having close contact (being closer than 6 feet for more than a total of 15 minutes. Minutes are cumulative over a period of 24 hours) with someone who is COVID-19 positive.
• An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting 2 days before they have symptoms.

Isolation & Quarantine Guidelines

On December 27, 2021, the CDC updated guidance for the recommended isolation and quarantine guidelines. The change is motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to the onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after. 

The updated CDC recommendations are as follows: 

• I have had an exposure, what should I do? 

• Testing Guidelines: Testing is recommended immediately after exposure and then again 5 – 7 days later regardless of vaccine status.
• Quarantine Guidelines: If you were exposed to someone who is COVID-19 positive and you are:

For further information, please see the updated CDC guidance. 

COVID-19 Treatment

• I have COVID-19 and am at risk for severe infection.  What can I do? 

• Monoclonal antibodies may be available for individuals who are at high risk for developing a severe COVID-19 infection.  To qualify for treatment, an individual must be within 10 days from symptom onset.  Your primary care provider may refer you for monoclonal antibody treatment or you may self-refer by going to the website below and selecting the blue/green box at the bottom of the page: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/mnrappeople.html

• I have COVID-19 and would like a prescription for Ivermectin to help prevent COVID-19.

• Ivermectin is not approved by the FDA for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. MDH, Voyage Healthcare, and other healthcare organizations do not recommend its use and will not provide a prescription.

• Is it safe to receive a COVID-19 vaccine? 

• YES, COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.  Per the CDC, “Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines under the most intense safety monitoring in U.S. history.” Some individuals will have no side effects while others may have mild side effects. Side effects are normal and mean your body is building immunity. A very small group of individuals have had an anaphylactic reaction, but this is extremely rare. 
• CDC has developed a new smartphone-based tool called “V-safe” that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after you received a COVID-19 vaccination. Through “V-safe”, patients can quickly tell the CDC of any side effects after receiving the vaccine.  All patients who receive a COVID-19 vaccine at Voyage Healthcare will receive information on “V-safe” and are encouraged to participate.

• I am pregnant. Should I get a COVID-19 vaccine?
• YES, COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for people who are pregnant, lactating, trying to get pregnant, and/or who might become pregnant in the near future. Individuals who are pregnant are at an increased risk for severe infection when compared to those who are not.  There is also no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines cause fertility problems.

• I have an autoimmune disease, should I get a COVID-19 vaccine? 

• YES, COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for people who have an autoimmune disease.  If you have an autoimmune disease and are immunocompromised, you may be eligible for the 3rd dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.   

• Which COVID-19 vaccination is the best?

• CDC, as well as Voyage Healthcare Providers, do not endorse one vaccine over. The best vaccine is the vaccine that is available.

• If I can’t get my second COVID-19 vaccination in the designated timeframe, will I have to start over?

• NO, you would not need to restart your vaccine series.  You should receive your vaccine as soon as you are able.

• When should I get a COVID-19 vaccine (including a booster) if I recently had COVID-19? Should I wait 3 – 6 months since I have protection from natural infection?

• You should get your vaccine as soon as you are due and as long as you are out of your quarantine/isolation period.  There is no contraindication to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine if you have had a previous COVID-19 infection. Infection-related immunity is less predictable compared to vaccination, and those who have had a mild or asymptomatic case of COVID-19 generally generate a lower antibody response. Vaccination after infection significantly enhances protection. 

• Are the vaccines going to be updated/changed to help protect against new variants? 

• It is too early to tell.   Research suggests that the COVID-19 vaccines may be slightly less effective against the new variants, however, they still appear to provide protection against severe COVID-19. Vaccine development is ongoing.

• Can a COVID-19 Vaccine give you COVID?
  • NO, the COVID-19 vaccines currently being developed in the U.S. do not use the live virus that causes COVID-19.

If you have questions regarding your specific condition or care, please call the clinic at 763-587-7900.