You should isolate from others if you test positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19 and have not been treated yet, regardless of vaccination
status. Isolation is used to seperate people infected with COVID-19 from those who are not infected. Isolate at home for 5 days after symptoms start (or you
test positive if you have no symptoms) and wear a well-fitting mask for an additional 5 days.
If you did not have symptoms
- Day 0 is the day you were tested (not the day you received your positive test result)
- Day 1 is the first full day following the day you were tested
- If you develop symptoms within 10 days of when you were tested, the clock restarts at day 0 on the day of symptom onset
If you had/have symptoms
- Day 0 of isolation is the day of symptom onset, regardless of when you tested positive
- Day 1 is the first full day after the day your symptoms started
- Stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home. You are likely most infectious during the first 5 days.
- Wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others at home and in public.
- Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask, including travel and public transportation settings.
- Stay home and seperate from others as much as possible.
- Use a seperate bathroom, if possible.
- Take steps to improve ventilation at home, if possible.
- Don't share personal household items like cups, towels, and utensils.
- Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (like
trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately.
- Learn more about what to do if you have COVID-19.
End isolation based on how serious your COVID-19 symptoms were.
If you did not have symptoms
- You may end isolation after day 5. Continue to wear a well-fitting mask for an additional 5 days.
- If you develop symptoms after testing postive, your 5-day isolation period should start over.
If you had symptoms
- You may end isolation if:
- You are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and your symptoms are improving.
- If you still have fever or your other symptoms have not improved, continue to isolate until they improve.
- You are able to continue to wear a high-quality mask around others at home and in public for an additional 5 days
after your 5-day isolation period.
- Children under 2 years of age or individuals who are unable to wear a mask, people with moderate or severe illness or immunocompromised, should isolate for 10 days or longer. Isolation
can be shortened be testing negative (after day 5 of isolation) with two antigen tests seperated by at least 48 hours.
After you have ended isolation and symptoms are improving:
- Wear your mask an additional 5 days when around others at home and in public
OR
- If you completed your 5 day isolation and have access to antigen tests, with two sequential negative tests 48 hours apart, you may remove your mask sooner than day 10.
- If your antigen test results are positive, you may still be infectious. You should continue wearing a mask and wait at least 48 hours before taking another test.
Continue taking antigen tests at least 48 hours apart until you have two sequential negative results. This may mean you need to continue wearing a mask and testing
beyond day 10.
Everyone who has tested postive for COVID-19 or has symptoms of COVID-19 should:
- Notify people they have been in close contact so they can take preventative measures.
- Continue to isolate for a full 10 days if unable to wear a mask around others.
- Avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 until at least day 11.
- Not go to places where you are unable to consistently wear a mask (such as restaurants). Avoid eating around others
in your home and at work for a full 10 days after the day of your positive test.
- Avoid travel for a full 10 days after the day of your positive test. If you have to travel on days 6 through 10, wear a
well-fitting mask when you are around others. If you are unable to wear a mask, you should not travel until 10 days after the day
of your positive test.
If your COVID-19 symptoms recur or worsen after you have ended isolation, restart your isolation at day 0. Talk to a healthcare
provider if you have questions about your symptoms or when to end isolation.
Long COVID
Symptoms lasting longer than four weeks are considered post-COVID conditions. If you think you have Long COVID, or another post-COVID condition, talk
to your healthcare provider about options for managing or treating your symptoms and resources for support. Visit our Post-COVID conditions webpage for
more information.