703-267-3511
TTY 711
Gloria Addo-Ayensu, M.D., M.P.H.,
Director of Health
If you test positive for COVID-19, you should stay home for at least 5 days and wear a mask for 10 days after testing positive with COVID-19.
End isolation based on how serious your COVID-19 symptoms were.
If you have no symptoms | If you have symptoms |
---|---|
You may end after day 5 (on day 6). Wear a well fitted mask around others for Days 6-10. If you are unable or unwilling to wear a mask on Days 6-10, you can use the CDC’s test based strategy that includes two negative tests 48 hours apart.
If you develop symptoms within 10 days of when you were tested, the clock restarts at day 0 on the day of symptom onset |
You may end after day 5 (on day 6) if:
Note: Day 0 is the day of when symptoms started, regardless of when you tested positive. Day 1 is the first full day after the day your symptoms started. If you still have fever or your other symptoms have not improved, continue to isolate until they improve. If you had moderate illness (if you experienced shortness of breath or had difficulty breathing), or severe illness (you were hospitalized) due to COVID-19, or you have a weakened immune system, you need to isolate through day 10. If you had severe illness or have a weakened immune system, consult your doctor before ending isolation. Ending isolation without a viral test may not be an option for you. If you are unsure if your symptoms are moderate or severe or if you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider for further guidance. |
If you have questions about what you should do when you have COVID-19:
Notify everyone you have been within 6 feet of for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period, beginning two days before you developed symptoms or two days before you took your COVID-19 test, if you do not have symptoms, about your illness and share the guidance below.
If you have COVID-19, it is important that you alert all close contacts so that they know to watch for symptoms and take over prevention measures. A close contact is defined as anyone with whom you have been within 6 feet for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.
The steps below will help you identify and talk to your close contacts.
Call your contacts and tell them you have COVID-19. By sharing your information with others, you can slow the spread of illness.
Sample text: “Hi. I have COVID-19. I’m calling you because when we were together, you may have been exposed. The Health Department recommends you take certain steps."
Take Precautions
Get Tested
Note: This is intended for members of the general public. It does NOT apply to healthcare facilities or high-risk congregate settings.
For persons who are in isolation: If you are having difficulty staying home due to trouble obtaining hygiene/cleaning supplies, obtaining food/groceries, obtaining over the counter medication, or paying rent/utilities, assistance can be provided through the Health Department’s Community Health Worker Program. Contact 703-267-3511 for a referral. You may also contact the Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning call center for basic needs assistance
at 703-222-0880, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
If you have other questions or need this information in a different language, please call the Fairfax County Health Department information line.
If you have questions about what you should do when you have COVID-19, call your health care provider. If you do not have or cannot reach your provider, call our call center at 703-267-3511.
Note: If you are a healthcare provider, your recommendations may be different. Please contact your employer for guidance.