I Think I Have COVID-19

How long should you isolate (stay home) if you have COVID-19?

Emily Smith, ScD MPH
Published: January 7, 2022

In December 2021, the CDC shortened recommended isolation periods for people with COVID.

If you test positive or develop symptoms during quarantine, regardless of vaccination status: 

  • Isolate yourself for 5 days after your positive test or your first day of symptoms.
  • After day 5:
    • If your symptoms are improved and you have no fever for at least 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medicines like Tylenol or ibuprofen, CDC says you can leave your house. But you should wear a mask around others for 5 more days. 
    • If your symptoms have NOT improved or you still have a fever, continue isolation until the symptoms have improved and the fevers have stopped. Then wear a mask around others for 5 more days. 
  • Although CDC says you do not have to test negative to end your isolation period, we recommend you take a home test at day 5 to make sure you likely aren’t contagious. If your test result is positive, you should test yourself every few days and continue to isolate until your test is negative or until day 10 (whichever comes first).

Everyone who has been exposed or tested positive for COVID should 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. Avoid travel for 10 days.

Last update: January 5, 2022, 12:00 ET

Update review: HAY, ERS, GSN