Isolation is used to separate sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick. People who are in isolation should stay home until it’s safe for them to be around others. At home, anyone sick or infected should separate from others, stay in a specific “sick room” or area, and use a separate bathroom (if available). If you must be around others in your home, you should wear a well-fitting mask.
If you tested positive for COVID-19 and have symptoms:
- stay at home and away from other people for at least 5 days after your symptoms started
- wait until you have had no fever for at least 24 hours (without fever-reducing medicine)
- and wait until your other symptoms have improved
After day 5, once symptoms have improved and you are fever-free for more than 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, you may end isolation as long as you can wear a mask through day 10. If you cannot wear a mask, you should isolate through day 10.
If you tested positive and do not have symptoms:
- stay at home and away from other people for 10 days starting the date of your positive test
If you continue to be symptom free, you may end isolation after day 5 as long as you can wear a mask through day 10. If you cannot wear a mask, you should isolate through day 10.
If you had no symptoms when you tested positive but develop symptoms AFTER your test:
- continue to isolate for at least 5 days after your symptoms started and are improving as described above
Regardless of vaccination status, any person who experiences symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should isolate and get tested. If you are symptomatic but fully vaccinated, inform your health care provider of your vaccination status. If you test positive, you should isolate for at least 5 days from the beginning of your symptoms (or from your test date if you have no symptoms).
While you are in isolation:
- stay at home except to get medical care
- monitor your symptoms and know how to recognize an emergency
- separate yourself from other people and animals in your home
- don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils
- wear a face covering when you are around other people or pets, and before you enter a health care provider’s office