![Here’s when to isolate if you test positive for Covid](https://static.independent.co.uk/2023/09/27/23/GettyImages-1368623436.jpg?quality=75&width=1200&auto=webp)
Here’s when to isolate if you test positive for Covid
The IndependentSign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “, it’s not so nice that their best case scenario is almost twice as many respiratory hospitalizations as pre-COVID.” To stay safe this cold and flu season, experts say it’s important to follow CDC guidelines. This means staying home if you test positive for the virus—though isolation guidelines have changed quite a bit since SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes illness with Covid-19, first emerged. open image in gallery Covid isolation guidelines have changed since SARS-CoV-2 first emerged If you’ve been exposed to someone with Covid-19 but aren’t experiencing symptoms, you should wait five full days after the exposure to take a test. open image in gallery Covid isolation guidelines have changed since SARS-CoV-2 first emerged If you have no symptoms but know you have the virus due to a positive test, you should consider the day you were tested as day zero; if you do have symptoms, you should consider the day your symptoms began as day zero.
History of this topic
![Is it the flu or is it COVID? One at-home test can tell you](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8640x4860+0+735/resize/1400/quality/100/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F06%2F2d%2Fea39097b4b36883b436dc333f1f0%2Fihealth-covid-test-image-updated-1.jpg)
Is it the flu or is it COVID? One at-home test can tell you
NPR![It’s Another COVID Summer. This Is All You Need to Know About It.](https://compote.slate.com/images/bec13139-1308-4961-aa67-40c5eea2f878.jpeg?crop=1560%2C1040%2Cx0%2Cy0&width=1560)
It’s Another COVID Summer. This Is All You Need to Know About It.
SlateCOVID-19 no longer means five days in isolation, CDC says
Associated PressU.S. health officials drop 5-day isolation time for COVID-19
LA TimesThe US Center for Disease Control proposes to scrap its five-day COVID-19 isolation recommendations. What are the rules in Australia?
ABC![Has California’s COVID-19 winter surge peaked? Here’s what the data show](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/34cb30a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8192x4301+0+581/resize/1200x630!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F09%2Fd2%2F82a8bac049f08e06f2cfdd3866d8%2F1348234-me-0914-new-covid-vaccine-015-ik.jpg)
Has California’s COVID-19 winter surge peaked? Here’s what the data show
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In a milestone, California says those with COVID-19 can leave home sooner — but there’s a catch
LA TimesWith COVID on the rise, your at-home test may be taking longer to show a positive result
LA Times![Everyone in California seems to be sick with respiratory illness. Here’s why](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a268f8a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3600x1890+0+255/resize/1200x630!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F9e%2F02%2F7f89d82f4a68b632da3b47774a3d%2F1389639-me-1221-lax-travel-004-ik.jpg)
Everyone in California seems to be sick with respiratory illness. Here’s why
LA Times![COVID is still out there. Here’s what to do if you get it now](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5c485a5/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3728x1957+0+264/resize/1200x630!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffd%2F8a%2F949b3f384731b2c8278c90e2faf1%2F58-yip-2021-52-la-photos-1staff-la-photos-1staff-la-photos-1staff-752798-la-me-lausd-back-to-school-20-als.jpg.JPG)
COVID is still out there. Here’s what to do if you get it now
LA TimesWorld Health Organisation issues fresh Covid guidelines: 6 things to know
Hindustan TimesNational cabinet is cutting the COVID-19 isolation period from seven to five days. But there are exceptions to the new rules
ABCConcerns over accuracy of COVID rapid test results when first sick
LA Times![FDA: Take 3 home tests if exposed to COVID to boost accuracy](https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/bbd02e0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000x1688+0+156/resize/1440x810!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstorage.googleapis.com%2Fafs-prod%2Fmedia%2F1ea6c6bc8bef4cb88e5e66792e22a222%2F3000.jpeg)
FDA: Take 3 home tests if exposed to COVID to boost accuracy
Associated Press![Here’s the CDC’s new advice for protecting yourself against COVID-19](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b5aabd7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6720x3528+0+476/resize/1200x630!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F03%2Fbb%2Fe29fdbef4663869e7985a7391f46%2Fla-photos-1staff-866883-me-covid-youth-vaccines-05.FO.jpg)
Here’s the CDC’s new advice for protecting yourself against COVID-19
LA TimesIf exposed to the coronavirus, take 3 home tests to boost accuracy, FDA now says
LA Times![Coronavirus Today: The isolation conundrum](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1da60b0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x1860+0+450/resize/1200x630!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff9%2Fe5%2F0932831d4293b391e7bbbdcd5144%2Fap22029738932988.jpg)
Coronavirus Today: The isolation conundrum
LA Times![The time has come for DIY mandates on COVID-19](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/dec4f88/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6720x3528+0+476/resize/1200x630!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc3%2F3a%2Fd53768e840a19fb977503d9ff1e3%2F793052-me-0615-reopening-california-county-workers-gem-010.jpg)
The time has come for DIY mandates on COVID-19
LA Times![I’ve Been Sick For Months But Never Tested Positive For COVID. Here’s What Doctors Tell Me.](https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/62ced49f210000296e5eff07.jpeg?ops=1200_630)
I’ve Been Sick For Months But Never Tested Positive For COVID. Here’s What Doctors Tell Me.
Huff PostGot COVID? Doctors warn powering through it — even from home — can worsen health toll
LA TimesWhat to do if you test positive for COVID-19? Here's the symptoms, the isolation rules and how to report a RAT
ABC![I have COVID-19. What to know about Paxlovid, molnupiravir, other treatments in California](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/747b1b8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7881x4138+0+558/resize/1200x630!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe4%2F29%2F81cdf5f94809a4aec59d46745f95%2Fgettyimages-1238864812.jpg)
I have COVID-19. What to know about Paxlovid, molnupiravir, other treatments in California
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Fewer than 425 Covid-19 patients in hospitals; Infection average drops to 46-week low
NL TimesI have COVID-19. What happens now? How to manage your symptoms at home
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My At-Home Rapid Test Is Negative, But Could I Still Have COVID?
Huff PostCovid positivity rate drops below 60% as infections, hospital cases fall
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Here's how to decide if you're safe to go out when you're recovering from omicron
NPRWhen is it safe to socialise after recovering from COVID-19? Here's what the experts say
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Covid Virus May Remain Active, Transmissible for Longer Than Recommended Quarantine Period: Study
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Covid may remain active, transmissible for longer than recommended quarantine period
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COVID: Staying at isolation facility not mandatory from today for foreign arrivals testing positive
India TV News![COVID-19 revised rules: Foreigners coming to India need not stay at isolation centres on testing positive](https://images.firstpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/24airport.jpg?im=FitAndFill=(1200,675))
COVID-19 revised rules: Foreigners coming to India need not stay at isolation centres on testing positive
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'Isolation' Not Mandatory for Foreign Arrivals Testing Covid Positive: Authorities
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Tested positive for COVID? Some people may remain infectious even after 10 days
India TV News![From 10 to 7 to 5 days: Britain changes self-isolation rules for COVID-19 patients](https://images.firstpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/22omicron.jpg?im=FitAndFill=(1200,675))
From 10 to 7 to 5 days: Britain changes self-isolation rules for COVID-19 patients
Firstpost![Covid-19: This state issues 7-day discharge protocol for home isolation patients](https://images.livemint.com/img/2022/01/09/1600x900/RT-PCR_1641714394107_1641714394326.jpg)
Covid-19: This state issues 7-day discharge protocol for home isolation patients
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When is the best time to get tested after Covid exposure?
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The CDC says a test to get out of COVID isolation is not needed, resisting pushback
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Fauci: CDC Considering Adding COVID Testing Requirement to New Isolation Guidelines
SlateWhat to do next if you test positive to COVID
ABC![US revises 5-day isolation Covid guidelines for asymptomatic patients, adds no fever for 24 hours](https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/indiatoday/images/story/202112/Australia_covid_0.png)
US revises 5-day isolation Covid guidelines for asymptomatic patients, adds no fever for 24 hours
India TodayWith Omicron surging, California calls for stricter COVID isolation for infected people
LA Times![Should isolation time for asymptomatic Covid cases be cut?](https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2021/12/29/1600x900/covid_isolation_1640761337583_1640761359137.jpg)
Should isolation time for asymptomatic Covid cases be cut?
Hindustan Times![What should I do if I test positive for the coronavirus?](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0d135e9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4000x2100+0+284/resize/1200x630!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb6%2Faa%2F19f1bd184587bc0e8e5488e07dbf%2Fla-photos-1staff-893013-me-covid-cases-increasing-07-mjc.jpg)
What should I do if I test positive for the coronavirus?
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EXPLAINER: What to do if you test positive for COVID-19
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