What to do
Follow this guidance if you came in close contact with someone who tested positive COVID-19. For more information about all situations needing isolation and quarantine, see official guidance from the Department of Public Health.
A contact tracer may call to tell you you’ve been exposed to COVID-19, from 916-262-7553. We will never ask for your social security number, financial information, or your immigration status.
Stay at home
Quarantine for 10 days, starting from the date of your last contact with the person with COVID-19 (this is day 0). There are certain groups of people who must quarantine for 14 days. If you are vaccinated, you do not need to quarantine if you are exposed, unless you have symptoms. See CDPH recommendations for fully vaccinated individuals.
Do not go to work, school or any public places. Do not leave your home unless you have to get healthcare. Do not allow visitors into your home, unless you need their help to care for yourself.
We recommend getting tested on or after day 6, But a negative test does not mean you can end your quarantine earlier.
There is still a small chance you could still be infected and not have symptoms up to 14 days after a close contact with someone with COVID-19.
After you end quarantine, you should still wear a mask and stay 6 feet away from people until day 14.
If you test positive or develop symptoms, see complete guidance.
Limit contact with people you live with
Stay in your own room and have your own bathroom, if you can. Wear a face covering, and have others wear a face covering around you.
Open windows and doors if it's safe to do so. The virus builds up indoors, so you’ll want to bring in as much fresh air as possible.
Use a separate bathroom, if you can. If you share a bathroom:
- Turn on fans that pull air out of the bathroom.
- Open windows.
- Wear a face covering.
- Flush the toilet with the lid closed.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Wipe down anything you touched with a disinfectant.
Do not prepare or serve food to others. Keep your own set of utensils, plates, towels, bedding, or other household items. Do not share them.
Limit your contact with pets.
Follow personal hygiene and cleaning tips for staying healthy during the coronavirus pandemic.
You can ask friends or loved ones to help
If people ask if they can help, they can:
- Leave food and drinks at your door
- Get you medicine to relieve symptoms
- Help care for children, parents, or other dependents
- Help care for your pets
If friends and family come to help take care of you, remind them to wear a face covering at all times and wash their hands.
Special cases
Frontline workers
Get help
Phone
Get help with food, housing, or other needs.
Contact tracing team
If you were listed as a close contact of someone who tested positive, we’ll call you.
Last updated May 19, 2021