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Update as of January 2024
COVID-19 isolation recommendations move away from five days of isolation and instead focus on clinical symptoms to determine when to end isolation.
Recommendations for people who test positive
1. Stay home if you have COVID-19 symptoms, until you have not had a fever for 24 hours without using fever reducing medication AND other COVID-19 symptoms are mild and improving. If you do not have symptoms, you should follow the recommendations below to reduce exposure to others.
2. Mask when you are around other people indoors for the 10 days* after you become sick or test positive (if no symptoms). You may remove your mask sooner than 10 days if you have two sequential negative tests at least one day apart. Day 0 is symptom onset date or positive test date.
3. Avoid contact with people at higher-risk for severe COVID-19 for 10 days*. Higher-risk individuals include the elderly, those who live in congregate care facilities, those who have immunocompromising conditions, and that put them at higher risk for serious illness.
4. Seek Treatment. If you have symptoms, particularly if you are at higher risk for severe COVID-19, speak with a healthcare provider as soon as you test positive. You may be eligible for antiviral medicines or other treatments for COVID-19. COVID-19 antiviral medicines work best if taken as soon as possible, and within 5-7 days from when symptoms start.
Call 1-833-422-4255 if you are unable to contact a healthcare provider, or use the treatment options to find one.
*The potential infectious period is 2 days before the date of symptoms began or the positive test date (if no symptoms) through Day 10. (Day 0 is the symptom onset date or positive test date).
Link to more information from the California Department of Public Health.
Additional Resources:
CDC Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19
SF.GOV What to do if you’ve had a close contact or positive test for COVID
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