If you test positive for COVID-19 or are waiting for test results (regardless of vaccination status, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic):

Isolate at Home: Stay away from people and pets for at least 5 full days (day 0 is the first day of symptoms, or if no symptoms, day 0 is the date the test was taken), AND wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask or respirator if you must be around others (whether at home or in public) from start of isolation through day 10.

Notify Close Contacts: Tell your close contacts they may have been exposed so they can take steps to care for themselves and their families.

If Asymptomatic, Monitor for Symptoms of COVID-19: If symptoms develop and you are at high risk of severe illness, consult with a healthcare provider right away. If symptoms develop within 10 days of when you were tested, restart the isolation clock with 0 being the day of symptom onset.

Postpone Travel: Avoid travel for a full 5 days after your first day of symptoms, or if asymptomatic, after the date of the positive test. Avoid public transportation.

Ending Isolation

Most people can end isolation after 5 full days (i.e., on Day 6) if asymptomatic, or if fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and other symptoms are improving. Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months and need not delay the end of isolation. If symptoms persist (fever or if other symptoms have not improved), continue to isolate until fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medication for 24 hours and other symptoms have improved.

Persons with moderate or severe illness and those who have weakened immune systems should isolate for a longer period of time. These persons should consult with their healthcare provider to determine the appropriate duration of isolation.

After Ending Isolation (i.e., Day 6-10)

Postpone Travel: Postpone travel for a full 10 days if possible. If travel is necessary on days 6-10, wear a well-fitting mask when around others for the entire duration of travel. Persons unable to wear a mask should not travel during the 10 days.

Mask: Wear a well-fitted mask or respirator when around others at home and in public through day 10. For those ending isolation on day 5, this would be during days 6 through 10. Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask until you are able to discontinue masking (i.e., on day 11). After the 5-day isolation period (or longer if symptoms persist), one may discontinue wearing a mask sooner than day 11 with two sequential negative antigen tests taken at least 48 hours apart. The first of the two antigen tests should be taken no sooner than day 6. If an antigen test result is positive, one may still be infectious and should continue wearing a mask and wait at least 48 hours before testing again. Continue taking antigen tests at least 48 hours apart until there are two sequential negative results (there may be a need to continue wearing a mask and testing beyond day 10).

Avoid Other at High-Risk for Severe Illness: Regardless of when you end isolation, avoid being around people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease until at least day 11.