UPDATE: If You Have Tested Positive for COVID, when can You Stop Home Isolation?

Per the CDC guidelines, people with COVID-19 (either positive test or presumed diagnosis by your doctor) who have had symptoms and have been on “self quarantine” at home can stop home isolation after:

• 10 days since symptoms first appeared and
• 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
• Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving*

*Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation​

Most people do not require testing to decide when they can be around others; however, if your healthcare provider recommends testing, they will let you know when you can resume being around others based on your test results.

Note that these recommendations do not apply to persons with severe COVID-19 or with severely weakened immune systems (immunocompromised). These persons should work with their doctor for recommendations and follow the CDC guidance for “I was severely ill with COVID-19 or have a severely weakened immune system (immunocompromised) due to a health condition or medication. When can I be around others?”

If you tested positive for COVID-19 but did NOT have symptoms, you can stop self-isolation when:

At least 10 days have passed since your test (as long as you have not developed symptoms since then, in which case you should follow the guidelines above for people WITH symptoms)

Jennifer Abrams, MD, February 23, 2021