Test Positive or Exposed | COVID-19

If You Test Positive for COVID-19

If you test positive or have symptoms of COVID-19, stay home until it is safe to be around others, even if you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines. This is called isolation. Contact your health care provider or a Test to Treat site to learn if COVID-19 treatments are right for you.

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HOW LONG TO ISOLATE

If You Test Positive and Have Symptoms:

You can end isolation after 5 full days if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved.
Continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others in your home and in public for an additional 5 days after your 5-day isolation period.

If you are unable to wear a mask, continue to isolate for a full 10 days. Avoid spending time around people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe illness, nursing homes, and other high-risk settings, until after at least 10 days.

If you continue to have a fever or if your other symptoms have not improved after 5 days of isolation, you should wait to end your isolation until these symptoms have improved. Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and do not need to delay the end of isolation. Continue to wear a well-fitting mask and contact your health care provider if you have questions.

Avoid travel and any location where wearing a mask consistently is not possible (such as restaurants) for 10 days after your first day symptoms began.

If You Test Positive and Never Develop Symptoms:

You can end isolation after 5 full days if you continue to have no symptoms.
Continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public for an additional 5 days after your 5-day isolation period.

If you are unable to wear a mask, continue to isolate for a full 10 days. Avoid spending time around people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe illness, nursing homes, and other high-risk settings, until after at least 10 days.

If you develop symptoms after testing positive, your 5-day isolation period should start over. Day 0 is your first day of symptoms. Follow the above instructions for isolating if you have symptoms of COVID-19.

Avoid travel for a full 10 days after the day of your positive test. If you have to travel on days 6 through 10, wear a well-fitting mask when you are around others. If you are unable to wear a mask, you should not travel until 10 days after the day of your positive test.

Do not go to places where you are unable to consistently wear a mask (such as restaurants). Avoid eating around others in your home and at work for a full 10 days after the day of your positive test.

The CDC’s Quarantine and Isolation Calculator can help you determine your exact isolation dates.

DURING ISOLATION

Stay home. Do not go to work, school, or public areas. Do NOT travel.
Self-monitor for new or worsening symptoms.
Call ahead and seek medical care if your illness worsens or if you develop emergency warning signs. Call 911 immediately if you need emergency medical care and tell them that you have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
Prevent others from getting sick.
- Separate yourself from other people and pets in your home; avoid sharing personal household items. If possible, use a separate bathroom.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes; wash your hands often; clean high-touch surfaces every day.
- Wear a well-fitting mask if you have to be around other people; stay at least 6 feet away from others.
- Do not use public transportation.
- Postpone nonurgent medical appointments.
Notify your close contacts. People in your household, and others you had close contact with need to get tested, stay home, and self-monitor for symptoms.

Click here for more information from WI DHS.

If You Have Been Exposed to COVID-19

WHAT IS A CLOSE CONTACT?

You were within 6 feet of a person who had COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.
You had direct exposure to respiratory secretions (for example, being coughed or sneezed on, sharing a drinking glass, utensils, towels or other personal items).
You had direct physical contact with the person (for example, a hug, kiss, or handshake).
You cared or care for a person who has COVID-19.
You lived or live with a person who has COVID-19.
You stayed overnight with them for at least one night in the same household.

STEPS TO TAKE AFTER CLOSE CONTACT

You should quarantine if:

You are not up to date on recommended COVID-19 vaccines.
You tested positive for COVID-19 more than 90 days ago with a viral test.

You do NOT need to quarantine if:

You are up to date on recommended COVID-19 vaccines.
You tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days using a viral test.

If you do not need to quarantine, you should wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days from your date of last last exposure and monitor for symptoms. Get tested for COVID-19 at least 5 days after exposure (unless you've had a positive COVID-19 viral test result in the last 90 days).

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU NEED TO QUARANTINE?

Stay home and away from other people for at least 5 days after your date of last exposure. Do not go to work or school while in quarantine.
- Wear a well-fitting mask for an additional 5 full days after your last date of quarantine when you are around others.
If you are unable to wear a well-fitting mask around others, quarantine for 10 full days after your date of last exposure.
Avoid travel or going to places where you are unable to wear a mask during your quarantine period.
Monitor your health for 10 days after your last contact.
Get tested at least 5 days after being exposed to COVID-19 (unless you've had a positive COVID-19 viral test result in the last 90 days). Get tested right away if you develop symptoms of COVID-19. If you test positive, follow instructions for isolation.

The CDC’s Quarantine and Isolation Calculator can help you determine your exact isolation dates.

Click here for more information from WI DHS.

Test Positive or Exposed to COVID-19

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