CDC Guidance for COVID-19 Exposure

START PRECAUTIONS IMMEDIATELY
Wear a mask as soon as you find out you were exposed.

  • Day 0 is the day of your last exposure to someone with COVID-19
  • Day 1 is the first full day after your last exposure

CONTINUE PRECAUTIONS FOR 10 DAYS

  • You can still develop COVID-19 up to 10 days after you have been exposed.
  • Wear a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g., N95) any time you are around others inside your home or indoors in public.
  • Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask.
  • Take extra precautions if you will be around people who are high risk.

Watch for symptoms of COVID-19 infection:

  • fever (100.4°F or greater)
  • cough
  • shortness of breath
  • fatigue
  • muscle or body aches
  • headache
  • new loss of sense of taste or smell
  • sore throat
  • congestion or runny nose
  • nausea and vomiting
  • diarrhea

If you develop symptoms:

  • Isolate immediately and get tested.
  • Stay home until you know the result.
  • If your test result is positive, follow the isolation recommendations.

GET TESTED ON DAY 6

  • Get tested at least 5 full days after your last exposure.
  • Test even if you don’t develop symptoms.

IF YOU TEST NEGATIVE

  • Continue to monitor for symptoms and continue to mask through day 10.
  • No isolation is required.

IF YOU TEST POSITIVE

  • Isolate immediately for 5 days.
  • Isolation ends after 5 days if no fever for 24 hours and symptoms have subsided.
  • Consult with your Primary Care Provider if you have risk factors for complications of COVID-19 or if illness persists beyond 5 days.

Visit the CDC’s website for more information and to use their Isolation and Exposure Calculator.