COVID-19

I was exposed to COVID-19. What is the current guidance?

If you were exposed to COVID-19, wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days around others and test on day 2 or 3, and again on day 5 from last exposure. Home tests are sufficient.

You do not need to quarantine.

If symptoms develop, isolate at home, and get tested.

I am sick, but do not yet have test results. What do I do now?

Isolate from others if you are sick and suspect you may have COVID-19 but do not yet have results.

If results are positive or you do not get tested, follow the isolation guidance below.

If results are negative and your symptoms are mild, wear a well-fitting mask and resume daily activities or stay home until feeling well enough to resume activities.

I tested positive for COVID-19. What are the current recommendations?

Isolate from others at home for at least 5 days, as this is when you are most contagious to others. Wear a well-fitting mask if you must be within 6 feet of others at home or when attending medical appointments.

If after 5 days, you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication, and your symptoms are improving, or you never had symptoms, you may end isolation on the morning of day 6 (from symptom onset date).

Regardless of when you end isolation, avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 until at least day 11 (longer if symptoms persist) and wear a well-fitting mask for an additional 5 days (through day 10 from symptom onset date).

If you experienced severe illness with COVID-19 and/or have a weakened immune system, talk to your doctor before ending isolation.

Regardless of vaccination status, isolate from others if you have or might have COVID-19.

The best way to protect yourself and others is to stay up to date with vaccination and wear a mask in crowded indoor settings where community transmission is high. Protection provided by the current vaccine diminishes over time, so it is important to stay up to date, especially as new vaccines become available. Social distancing is another way to protect yourself and others, where possible.