If You Test Positive for COVID-19 (Isolate immediately)

Everyone, regardless of vaccination status.
⦁ Stay home for 5 days.
⦁ If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house.
⦁ Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves

If You Were Exposed to Someone with COVID-19 Start Precautions Immediately

• If you were exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 or have been told by a healthcare provider or public health authority that you were exposed, here are the steps that you should take, regardless of your vaccination status or if you have had a previous infection.

Wear a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g., N95) any time you are around others inside your home or indoors in public¹

• Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask. For travel guidance, see CDC’s Travel webpage

Take extra precautions if you will be around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.

Watch for Symptoms

• fever (100.4°F or greater)
• cough
• shortness of breath
• other COVID-19 symptoms

If you develop symptoms

• isolate immediately
• get tested

⦁ stay home until you know the result

If your test result is positive, follow the isolation recommendations.

If you had severe illness or have a weakened immune system, consult your doctor before ending isolation. Ending isolation without a viral test may not be an option for you.
If you are unsure if your symptoms are moderate or severe or if you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider for further guidance.

Removing Your Mask

• After you have ended isolation, when you are feeling better (no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and symptoms improving),
• Wear your mask through day 10.

• If you have access to antigen tests, you should consider using them. With two sequential negative tests 48 hours apart, you may remove your mask sooner than day 10.

Note: If your antigen test results 1 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.

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. Remember to wear a high-quality mask when indoors around others at home and in public and not go places where you are unable to wear a mask until you are able to discontinue masking.

Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation.