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Health Department

Fairfax County, Virginia

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our administration office at 10777 Main Street in Fairfax is open during regular business hours 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. Clinic services are not offered at this location.

703-267-3511
TTY 711

health@fairfaxcounty.gov

10777 Main Street
Fairfax, VA 22030

Gloria Addo-Ayensu, M.D., M.P.H.,
Director of Health

Department Resources

When to Isolate and When to Quarantine

Not all COVID-19 patients will require medical care. In fact, most will likely have mild to moderate symptoms. But COVID-19 can spread easily between people, and it is important you follow protocol to isolate yourself (for COVID-19 patients) or quarantine (for their friends, family and contacts) to stop the spread.

Here, we summarize the latest guidance from the Virginia Department of Health provided to physicians.

Both isolation and quarantine are used to prevent the spread of communicable disease, but there is a difference between the two:

 

Isolation Quarantine

Separates those diagnosed with COVID-19 from people who are not sick.

Stay home in a separate room in the house so that you don't infect others.

Separates people who have been exposed to COVID-19 but are not yet sick.

Get tested, stay home and monitor for symptoms. If you do not test positive or no symptoms develop in a specified time frame, you can stop quarantine.

 

calendar icon When Can You Can Be Around Others

Here are the isolation and quarantine actions COVID-19 patients, their household contacts, and other contacts who are not in the house (like coworkers or friends) must take. It is important to note that if you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 and have a known exposure, but have not been tested, you should proactively self-isolate.

Who Action to Take How long?
I had COVID-19 Symptoms

Self-Isolate

Most people can stop self-isolation* at home when all 3 of these things have happened:

  • You haven’t had a fever for at least 24 hours (without the use of medicine that reduces fevers),

AND

  • Symptoms have improved and you have
    not developed new symptoms,

AND

  • At least 10 days have passed since symptoms started or since the date of your positive COVID-19 test.
I tested positive for COVID-19,  but never had symptoms

Self-Isolate

Most people can stop self-isolating* at home after
both of these things have happened:

  • At least 10 days have passed since your positive COVID-19 test,

AND

  • You don’t develop any new symptoms since the test.
I was exposed to COVID-19

Self-Quarantine

People need to quarantine when they have been within 6 feet of a person who has COVID-19 for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.

If you are quarantining because someone with
COVID-19 lives in your household:
Stay home and monitor for symptoms the entire time the person is home sick, and for 14 days after the sick person is allowed to leave the house.

If you are quarantining because you spent time with someone with COVID-19:
Stay home and monitor for symptoms for 14 days after the last time you interacted with the person.

* If you are immunocompromised, check with your doctor before ending isolation.

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Two people 6 feet apartClose Contact

If you have been in close contact with a person who has COVID-19 while they are contagious, you need to quarantine and monitor your health. A person with COVID-19 is considered to be contagious starting from 2 days before they became sick (or 2 days before test specimen collection if they never had symptoms) until they meet the criteria to discontinue isolation.

Close contact includes:

  • Being within 6 feet of a person who has COVID-19 for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.
  • Having direct exposure to respiratory secretions from a person who has COVID-19. For example, being coughed or sneezed on, sharing a drinking glass or utensils, or kissing.
  • Providing care for a person who has COVID-19.
  • Living with a person who has COVID-19.

Even if you do not have symptoms or test negative during your quarantine period, you will still need to complete your full 14-day quarantine before it is safe to go back to work* or be around others. 

*People with certain jobs (e.g., critical infrastructure workers other than education sector workers) may be allowed to go to work after being exposed to COVID-19 if the business cannot operate without them. Learn more.

While Waiting for Test Results

You should also stay home and away from others while you are waiting for your test results. This helps protect your friends, family and others from possibly getting COVID-19 from you.

Learn more about testing

home iconWhat You Need to do When You Isolate or Quarantine

 There are several things that you must do to prevent disease spreading to people in your home and community. Your actions can protect others from COVID-19.

 

Stay home

  • Do not leave your house.
  • Do not spend time with others, including those you live with even if you feel well.
  • Do not share personal items, and use a separate bedroom and bathroom, if possible.
  • Do not go for walks.
  • Do not go to school or work.
  • Do not run errands.

Monitor symptoms

  • Take your temperature twice a day; once in the morning and once at night.
  • If you need to seek medical care, call your health care provider and inform the office you are isolating for COVID-19 illness before going into the office.
  • Call 911 immediately if you have danger signs, such as trouble breathing, pain or pressure in chest, confusion or inability to arouse, or bluish lips or face.
  • Share your symptoms with the Health Department if you have been asked to do so by a contact tracer.

Take precautions

  • Wear a cloth face covering when around other people.
  • Stay at least 6 feet away from others.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces everyday.

Consider where you live

You may need to take extra precautions based on where you live. 

 Get tested, if you are quarantining 

  • Testing for COVID-19 is available in many locations across Fairfax Health District. If you need a test, contact your health care provider or visit one of the sites listed on the Testing page.
  • Call ahead to make an appointment and wear a cloth face covering when you leave home.

Find support

  • Fairfax has support for those who will need to be temporarily out of work and away from others. From rental and food assistance to health care and housing, there are resources to get you by today so you can onboard to a healthier tomorrow.
  • Call Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880 to get connected.

Returning to Work

Employers should not require employees to provide a negative COVID-19 test result or a healthcare provider’s note to enable them to return to work. An employee can return to work once certain situations are met. 

Learn more

Learn what to do if you are sick

Visit: If You Feel Sick

Watch: Taking Care of Yourself at Home When You Are Sick

 

Other Related Information

Contact Investigations

COVID-19 Testing

VDH: 

CDC:

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