If you think you were exposed to COVID-19 over the Thanksgiving weekend, the Illinois Department of Public Health recommends waiting a week before getting tested.
State Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike says it won’t help to get tested right away.
“We know that it can take up to 14 days to show the signs of infection if you actually got infected, but most people will show a positive test if they are going to at day seven. So we would like people to wait at least a week.”
Ezike says you should go ahead and get tested if you start to show symptoms earlier.
“Obviously if you develop symptoms before then, please test immediately. In the meantime, always wear your mask and try to keep distance if you know you have been in a high-risk setting and if you know you could potentially come in contact with others. Please take the precautions even before you get a test result.”
Ezike says if people aren’t careful and get together in large groups, she fears COVID cases will spike again over the next couple of weeks.
