How long do I need to stay isolated if I test positive for COVID-19?

If you test positive, you should isolate for at least 5 days from the date of your positive test (if you do not have symptoms). If you do develop COVID-19 symptoms, isolate for at least 5 days from the date your symptoms began (the date the symptoms started is day 0).
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How long are you contagious if you test positive for COVID-19?

"A person with COVID-19 is considered infectious starting two days before they develop symptoms, or two days before the date of their positive test if they do not have symptoms," according to the CDC. Regardless of symptoms, those who test positive are advised to take specific precautions for at least 10 days.
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What are the guidelines for people who test positive for COVID-19?


Stay home, except to get needed medical care. Stay home from work and school, and avoid other public places including the store. If you must go out, avoid public transportation or ridesharing/taxis. Stay far away (6 feet or more) from other people. Wear a mask at all times and wash or sanitize your hands often.

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How long after COVID-19 isolation should I wear a mask?


During the 10 days after infection, persons might be infectious to others and are recommended to wear a well-fitting mask when around others, and to avoid contact with those at elevated risk for severe disease, even if ending isolation after 5 days.

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How long should I quarantine after COVID-19 exposure if I am vaccinated?


Quarantine: If you have received all vaccine and booster doses recommended by CDC, you do not need to quarantine. You should wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days from the date of your last close contact with someone with COVID-19 (the date of last close contact is considered day 0).

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Health check: How long should you isolate after testing positive for COVID?



Can you transmit COVID-19 while fully vaccinated?


While fully vaccinated people are less likely to transmit the coronavirus to unvaccinated people, it is still possible to spread the virus. Please get tested if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, even after you are fully vaccinated.

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Do I need to isolate if I have symptoms but I have been vaccinated for COVID-19?


People who are confirmed to have COVID-19 or are showing symptoms of COVID-19 need to isolate regardless of their vaccination status. This includes: People who have a positive viral test for COVID-19, regardless of whether or not they have symptoms.

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Should I wear a mask after a COVID-19 isolation in the US?

Yes. After the end of the 5-day quarantine or isolation period, continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public for 5 additional days (day 6 through day 10). If you are unable to wear a mask when around others, you should continue to isolate for 10 days. Avoid people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease, and nursing homes and other high-risk settings, until after at least 10 days. Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask, such as restaurants, bars, and some gyms, until 10 days after the start of quarantine or isolation.
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Can I remove my mask in public places after the end of isolation/quarantine for COVID-19?


No. After your 5 days of quarantine or isolation end, you should continue to wear a well-fitting mask when around others at home and in public for 5 days. Refer to current CDC guidance for mask wear to determine what to do after the 10-day period is complete.

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Can I stop wearing a face mask and social distancing after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?

Not yet. We don’t know how effective the vaccine is going to be, or how many people are going to receive it. The recommendation is continue to practice social distancing, wear a face mask, and really good hand-washing. We’re going to have to do this for a little while longer.

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What should I do if I test positive for COVID-19?


Stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home.

Tell your close contacts.

Wear a well-fitting mask when around others. If available, a N95 or KN95 respirator is recommended.

Watch for symptoms.If you have any emergency warning signs, seek emergency care immediately.

Tell your healthcare provider.


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What to do if I am diagnosed with COVID-19?

As much as possible, stay in a specific room and away from other people and pets in your home. If possible, you should use a separate bathroom. If you need to be around other people or animals in or outside of the home, wear a mask.

Tell your close contacts that they may have been exposed to COVID-19. An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting 48 hours (or 2 days) before the person has any symptoms or tests positive. By letting your close contacts know they may have been exposed to COVID-19, you are helping to protect everyone.

• Additional guidance is available for those living in close quarters and shared housing.
• See COVID-19 and Animals if you have questions about pets.
• If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, someone from the health department may call you. Answer the call to slow the spread.

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What does it mean if you tested positive for COVID-19?


With a confirmed positive COVID-19 test, you are most likely being sent home to rest, stay away from others, and recover. This is the case for more than 95% of people, as their symptoms do not require hospitalization. Some people have a higher risk for complications and should be monitored extra closely.

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When do COVID-19 symptoms start appearing?

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
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Can patients who have recovered from COVID-19 continue to have detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA in upper respiratory specimens?

• Patients who have recovered from COVID-19 can continue to have detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA in upper respiratory specimens for up to 3 months after illness onset in concentrations considerably lower than during illness; however, replication-competent virus has not been reliably recovered and infectiousness is unlikely.
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When should I take Paxlovid?

When should I take Paxlovid? You have to take Paxlovid within five days of developing symptoms.
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Why might someone continue to test positive for COVID-19 after isolation?


According to Benjamin tenOever, a microbiologist at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, some people may continue to test positive because the weakened virus keeps replicating, or because of broken virus genomes.

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How long does isolation take after COVID-19 infection if you were severely ill or have a weakened immune system?

CDC recommends an isolation period of at least 10 and up to 20 days for people who were severely ill with COVID-19 and for people with weakened immune systems. Consult with your healthcare provider about when you can resume being around other people.
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Should you get the COVID-19 vaccine if you already had COVID-19 and recovered?


If I already had COVID-19 and recovered, do I still need to get a COVID-19 vaccine? You should get a COVID-19 vaccine even if you already had COVID-19. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine after you recover from COVID-19 infection provides added protection to your immune system.

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Can you get reinfected with COVID-19?

Reinfections can and have happened even shortly after recovery, the researchers said. And they will become increasingly common as immunity wanes and new SARS-CoV-2 variants arise.

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How does the COVID-19 vaccine boost your immune system?

Vaccines work by stimulating your immune system to produce antibodies, exactly like it would if you were exposed to the disease. After getting vaccinated, you develop immunity to that disease, without having to get the disease first.
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What should I do if I have been vaccinated and around someone who has COVID-19?

People who are up to date with their vaccine should still monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 10 days after being around someone with COVID-19. You should also wear a well-fitting mask in public indoor settings and monitor for symptoms for 10 days. Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask.
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Will a person with COVID-19 vaccine have a positive antibody test?

A COVID-19 vaccination may also cause a positive antibody test result for some but not all antibody tests. You should not interpret the results of your SARS-CoV-2 antibody test as an indication of a specific level of immunity or protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Can breakthrough COVID-19 infections be transmitted to others?


SARS-CoV-2 is still easily transmitted With breakthrough infections, the viral loads are similar to those who are unvaccinated. That means such infections among fully immunized patients could be transmitted to others who are unvaccinated or have compromised immune systems.

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Do I need to quarantine if I tested positive for COVID-19 within the past three months?

People who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 3 months and recovered do not have to quarantine or get tested again as long as they do not develop new symptoms.
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