Glossary of COVID-19 Terms

Glossary of Terms

• Asymptomatic

  Individuals who have contracted the virus who do not have symptoms and will never get symptoms from infection. Though asymptomatic individuals may still transmit COVID-19, they may be less likely to do so than symptomatic or pre-symptomatic individuals.

• COVID-19

  The disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

• COVID-19 Screening

  Screening is a way of identifying individuals with symptoms that might be related to COVID-19. Use of thermometers or student/staff surveys are both relatively low cost and potentially high frequency measures to reduce risk of community transmission.

• Isolation (CDC)

  The process of separating sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.

• Medical testing

  Medical testing is used when an individual has COVID-19 symptoms and the test identifies if they have contracted the SARS-CoV-2.

• Physical distancing (CDC)

  Physical distancing, also called “social distancing,” means keeping space between yourself and other people outside of your home.

• Pre-symptomatic

  Individuals who have contracted coronavirus and are at a stage of incubation before symptoms have spread. CDC suggests 40% of coronavirus transmission happens before people feel sick. Individuals that contract COVID-19 develop symptoms between five and twelve days after exposure

• Quarantine (CDC)

  Separating and restricting movement of people exposed or thought to be exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick

• SARS-CoV-2

  The specific virus known to cause COVID-19.

• Testing - Antibody test

  Antibody tests identify individuals who have previously contracted COVID-19. Tests of blood serum identify individuals who have built up antibodies.

• Testing - Viral test

  Viral tests identify individuals that are currently carrying the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Samples are taken from the respiratory system (most commonly nasal swab) and can be offered as point of care (less than an hour) or can be confirmed in a lab in 1-2 days.

• Testing - Universal

  Universal Testing is designed to systematically and periodically identify individuals within a group, community, or population who are positive for SARS-CoV-2.