If You Are Sick or Have Been Exposed

I HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, STAY HOME AND ISOLATE to avoid spreading illness to others. Follow Isolation Guidelines commonly provided from the testing location OR find information for CDC Isolation Guidelines here: COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation | CDC

I HAVE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 BUT I DO NOT KNOW IF I SHOULD TEST OR HOW TO FIND A TEST.

There are many possible symptoms of COVID-19 including fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, abnormal tiredness/fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, and digestive symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These same symptoms can also be symptoms of other viruses. Everyone with symptoms should seek out testing.

• If you have these symptoms, you should test. You can use a home test or call a local pharmacy or your healthcare provider.
• Stay home and isolate away from others while you wait for your test results. Do not go to work, school or daycare. Stay away from household members as much as possible.
• Monitor your symptoms and call your health care provider if symptoms worsen.
• For more information on where to find testing options, see testing information.

I WAS EXPOSED TO COVID-19 BUT I AM NOT SICK. DO I NEED TO STAY HOME?

You do not need to stay home unless you develop symptoms.

Visit If You Were Exposed to use the exposure calculator for guidance on testing and precautions after an exposure.

I WAS EXPOSED TO COVID-19 AND NOW I’M NOT FEELING WELL. DO I NEED TO STAY HOME?

Yes, you should stay home. If you are a close contact and begin to have symptoms, isolate and test.

A positive test result may not occur until a few days after symptoms start. If your test is negative, stay home until symptoms resolve.   Consider retesting in a few days.

I LIVE WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS COVID-19. WHAT CAN I DO TO AVOID COVID-19?

Sometimes it may not be practical for you to stay away from a person who has COVID-19 or you may want to help take care of them.  In those situations, use as many prevention strategies as you can, such as practicing hand hygiene, consistently and correctly wearing a high-quality mask, improving ventilation, and keeping your distance, when possible, from the person who is sick or who tested positive.

The person with COVID-19 should use a separate space (bedroom, bathroom). Food and other necessities should be left in an area for them to retrieve it without others present. All individuals within the household should wear a mask if possible when around others.

For more information, visit How to Protect Yourself & Others | CDC 

I AM A HEALTH CARE WORKER AND IN ISOLATION/QUARANTINE FOR COVID-19. IS GUIDANCE DIFFERENT FOR ME?

If you are a health care worker, review Health Care Worker Guidance.