If I test positive for COVID-19, what should I do?

If you test positive for COVID-19, you should isolate.

This applies to everyone, regardless of vaccination status.

You should:

  • Stay home for 5 days.
  • If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you may leave your house. You should continue to isolate until you are fever free for

24 hours without taking any fever reducing medications.

  • Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
  • If you have a fever, continue to isolate.

It should be noted that certain settings such as health care, long-term care facilities and congregant living have different guidance.

Learn more from the CDC website:

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html

READ MORE: https://www.orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/18833/isolation_quarantine_jan_2022-social-media-cards

Treat “Day Zero” as the first day you experienced symptoms.

If you received a positive test but are asymptomatic, treat “Day Zero” as the day you tested positive.

  • “Day One” of isolation is the first full day after you exhibited symptoms, or the first full day after you tested positive for asymptomatic people.
  • You can leave isolation after five full days.

For example: If you have tested positive for COVID and experienced symptoms for the first time on a Sunday, Sunday is your Day Zero.

Monday would be your Day One.

Friday would be your fifth full day of isolation, and you could leave isolation after completing the fifth day.

If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 (quarantine) …

AND you are up to date on vaccination

and have no symptoms, the guidance says:

If you have been boosted

OR

Have completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 5 months

OR

Completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months

You should:

  • Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
  • Test on day 5, if possible.

If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home.

If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 (quarantine) … 

AND are NOT UP TO DATE on your vaccination (see below for definition) or are unvaccinated the guidance says:

If you completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 5 months ago and are not boosted

OR

Completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and are not boosted

OR

Are unvaccinated

You should:

  • Stay home for 5 days. After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
  • If you can’t quarantine you must wear a mask for 10 days.
  • Test on day 5 if possible.

If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home.

If you are immunocompromised, please speak with your medical provider to determine if you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccination.

When can I leave isolation if I had COVID-19 symptoms? 

If you tested positive for COVID and had symptoms, you can leave isolation after five full days if you meet the criteria below:

  • If you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved, you can end isolation after your fifth full day. The loss of taste and smell may last for months after your diagnosis, so you do not need to wait for those symptoms to subside before ending your 5-day isolation.
  • If you continue to have a fever or your other symptoms have not improved after five full days of isolation, you should wait to end your isolation until you are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved.

After ending your isolation, you should still wear a well-fitting mask around others in your home and in public. If you cannot wear a mask around others or in public, you should isolate for a full 10 days.

Show All Answers

1. What COVID-19 Vaccines are Available?
2. What ages are eligible to be vaccinated?
3. How do we know COVID-19 vaccines are safe for kids?
4. If the vaccine works for other people, why do kids need it?
5. I have already had COVID-19. Do I still need to get vaccinated?
6. Who should get a COVID-19 booster shot?
7. I am immunocompromised. Do I need an additional shot?
8. How do the COVID-19 vaccines work?
9. Will the vaccines cause side effects?
10. How were the COVID-19 vaccines produced so quickly?
11. Can I get COVID-19 from these vaccines?
12. Can receiving a COVID-19 vaccine cause you to be magnetic?
13. Do COVID-19 vaccines contain microchips?
14. Can the COVID-19 vaccine alter my DNA?
15. Is it safe for me to get the COVID-19 vaccine if I would like to have a baby one day?
16. Will getting a COVID-19 vaccine cause me to test positive for COVID-19 on a viral test?
17. What can you do once you are fully vaccinated?
18. I missed my 2nd shot of the mRNA vaccine. What should I do?
19. I lost my vaccine card. How can I get a new one?
20. How do I host a COVID-19 vaccine event?
21. What is the difference between quarantine and isolation?
22. If I test positive for COVID-19, what should I do?
23. If I was exposed to someone with COVID-19, what should I do?
24. When can I leave isolation if I had COVID-19 symptoms?
25. One or more health conditions increase the risk of getting very sick with COVID-19. What are those conditions?