COVID-19 Exposure and Illness: When to Stay Home

If you test positive or you have been exposed to COVID-19, do not wait to take these steps! See below regarding updates to this page.
Page updated on July 18, 2025 at 4:06 PM
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If you feel sick

If you feel sick, stay home, regardless of your test results. You may have COVID-19 or another illness and should rest and get better. Staying home also helps prevent the spread of germs in our community. 

You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours: 

  • Your symptoms are getting better, AND 

  • You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medicine like Tylenol or Motrin).  

When you return to normal activities, take extra care for 5 days, especially if you are around people who are at high risk for serious illness. You can wear a mask, wash or sanitize your hands often, maintain a safe distance from others, and test before you plan to be with others indoors.  Even if you start to feel better, you can still spread germs. 

If at any point, you develop a fever or start to feel worse, stay home as recommended above. 

If you were exposed to COVID-19

You may take extra care to prevent the spread of germs that may be in your body. You can wear a mask, wash or sanitize your hands often, and maintain a safe distance from others indoors, especially if you are around people who are at high risk for serious illness. 

You may also test, but you should wait to test until 5 full days after your exposure for more accurate results.  

If you start to feel sick, follow the guidance above.  

If you test positive, but don’t feel sick:

You may still be contagious. You do not have to stay home, but for the next 5 days, take extra care to prevent the spread of germs. You can wear a mask, wash or sanitize your hands often, maintain a safe distance from others, and test before you plan to be with others indoors.  This is especially important if you will be around people who have underlying health conditions. 

Why 5 days? Over the course of 5 days, most people’s immune systems will fight infections. Being extra careful for 5 days decreases the chance that you will spread germs while your body is fighting the infection.  

If you're at high risk for severe illness

More recommendations for people with high risks are available. Talk to your health care provider about your risks and recommendations. 

 

Guidance for Health Care Settings

CDC offers separate, specific guidance for health care settings (COVID-19, flu, and general infection prevention and control) and guidance about accommodations.  

If you work at a health care setting and need guidance, call the Alexandria Health Department epidemiology division at 703.746.4951.