I tested positive for COVID-19 and had symptoms. Can I take a test to end my isolation?

If you tested positive for COVID-19 and had symptoms, you should isolate for at least 5 days. To calculate your 5-day isolation period, day 0 is your first day of symptoms. Day 1 is the first full day after your symptoms developed. You can leave isolation after 5 full days.

If you have access to a COVID-19 test and want to test to determine if you can end your isolation, the best approach is to use an antigen test towards the end of the 5-day isolation period. 

• Collect the test sample only if you have not had a fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved*

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

• If you continue to have fever or your other symptoms have not improved after 5 days of isolation, you should wait to end your isolation until 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. Contact your healthcare provider if you have questions.

If your test result is positive, you should continue to isolate until day 10. If your test result is negative, you can end isolation, but continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public until day 10. Follow additional recommendations for masking and avoiding travel as described by the CDC.