Isolation

CDC has recently updated isolation recommendations for the public. View the CDC’s guidance and view Frequently Asked Questions on it.

Recomendaciones de aislamiento y cuarentena

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If you have/had symptoms:

• Isolate for 5 days: Day zero is the first day of symptoms. Day one is the first day after symptoms developed. You can leave isolation after five-full days if you have no symptoms and are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication, and your symptoms are improving (loss of taste can continue for weeks and should not delay end of isolation).
• Wear a well-fitting mask for five days after leaving isolation in home/work/around other people.
• If you have a fever continue to isolate until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication.
• Persons who have access to antigen tests (standard at-home tests) and who choose to use testing to determine when they can discontinue masking should wait to take the first test until at least day 6 if they are without a fever for 24 or more hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and all other symptoms have improved. Use of two antigen tests with 48 or more hours between tests and negative results are necessary for persons to discontinue masking.  If either test result is positive, persons should continue to wear a mask around others and continue testing every 48 hours until they have two sequential negative results.

If no symptoms:

• Isolate for 5 days. Day zero is the date you tested positive for COVID-19. Day one is the first full day after you took you COVID-19 test.
• You can leave isolation after five full days. You still must wear a well-fitting mask for another five days around others at home/work/around other people.
• Persons who have access to antigen tests and who choose to use testing to determine when they can discontinue masking should wait to take the first test until at least day 6 if they are without a fever for 24 or more hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and all other symptoms have improved. Use of two antigen tests with 48 or more hours between tests and negative results are necessary for persons to discontinue masking.  If either test result is positive, persons should continue to wear a mask around others and continue testing every 48 hours until they have two sequential negative results.

Isolation Dos:

• Stay home and stay separated from others in the household. Use a sick room and separate bathroom if possible.
• Have family or friends pick up groceries, medicine or prescriptions for you.
• Monitor symptoms. If you have trouble breathing seek medical attention immediately.
• Avoid household members and pets. Wear a well-fitting mask if you need to be around others at home during your isolation period.
• Avoid being around or visiting high-risk or immunocompromised persons (hospitals, long-term care, active treatment for conditions) until after day 10.

Isolation Don’ts:

• Don’t leave isolation if you still have symptoms. Continue to isolate until you are fever-free without medication for at least 24 hours.
• Don’t use a taxi, bus or ride-share to get medical attention. If it’s an emergency, call an ambulance.
• Don’t share household items like dishes, or utensils.
• Don’t go to eat at restaurants or visit other places where you cannot wear a well-fitting mask on days 6 through 10 unless you have two negative test results at least 48 hours apart.