You’ve had a close contact or positive test

Lower the risk of spreading COVID-19 in case you have it. If you test positive or feel sick, stop the spread.

What to do

Close contact

If you’ve had close contact, or potential exposure, with someone who has tested positive or is sick with COVID-19, you may have the virus. You can lower the risk of spread by staying away from others, especially those at high risk of getting very sick. Follow these steps for testing and mask wearing.

Not feeling sick but tested positive

If you don’t have symptoms but tested positive for COVID-19, you should stay home and away from others for at least 5 days. Day 0 is when you first tested positive. You can come out of isolation at day 6. 

You should wear a well-fitting mask any time you have to be around others until day 11.

Feeling sick and tested positive

If you have symptoms and tested positive for COVID-19, stay home and away from others for at least 5 days. Day 0 is when your symptoms started.

After 5 days (on day 6 or later), you can leave home when:

  • You have had no fever for the last 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications
  • Your symptoms are getting better

You should wear a well-fitting mask any time you have to be around others until day 11.

Before day 11, you may remove your mask around others only if you have two negative rapid antigen tests at least one day apart. If the antigen test results remain positive, you may still be infectious and should continue wearing your mask through day 11.

Sometimes your symptoms can get worse after they have improved. If this happens, you should take another antigen test. If it is positive you should stay away from others for another 5 days.

Taking a COVID-19 medicine does not change the time you should stay home and away from others. 

Feeling sick but haven’t tested yet

If you have symptoms but haven’t yet tested for COVID-19, it is recommended to stay home and away from others until you get tested. Test as soon as possible.

You should wear a well-fitting mask any time you are around others.

If you use a rapid antigen test within the first 1 or 2 days of feeling sick and it’s negative, you should:

  • Continue to stay away from others
  • Test again 1 or 2 days later

If the 2nd test is also negative but you’re still feeling sick, consider repeat testing every 1-2 days and staying home until you feel better.

If you test positive at any time while feeling sick, you should stay home and away from others and follow the guidance above.

Get treated for COVID-19

You may be eligible for COVID-19 medicines if you are at high risk of severe illness. Find out how to get early treatment.

For medical help

Most people with COVID-19 do not need to be hospitalized. For questions about your symptoms, call your doctor. If you don't have one, get a health appointment.

These are emergency warning signs that you need urgent medical help:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion or dizziness
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

If you experience these symptoms, call 911 and tell them you have COVID-19.

Find other COVID-19 resources

Find other COVID-19 services and resources from the City and County of San Francisco.

Return to work

Follow guidance from your employer. State law requires that your employer keep you from working while you are infected with COVID-19.

Special cases

COVID-19 at schools, childcare, and youth programs

COVID-19 at schools, childcare, and youth programs

If someone at school, childcare, or a youth program has COVID-19 or there's a chance of exposure, follow our guidance for staff and families.

Individual schools may choose to have additional rules or policies that families should also follow.

People who live or work in high-risk settings

People who live or work in high-risk settings

Healthcare workers and people who live and work in some high-risk settings (long-term care facilities, nursing homes) may have different rules for staying home with COVID-19.

If you live or work in a shelter or jail, you should follow the rules from your employer for staying home with COVID-19 infection.

Which kind of test to use after you've gotten COVID-19

Which kind of test to use after you've gotten COVID-19

Rapid antigen tests are better than PCR tests to help you know if it's ok to leave your house after having COVID-19.

Antigen tests test for virus that can be spread to others. PCR tests can stay positive for weeks after an infection, but don’t necessarily mean you can still spread the virus to others.

Get help

Phone

311

Get help with food, housing, or other needs.

Last updated September 12, 2023