Last updated: March 22, 2022 at 2:24 p.m.
Quarantine is for someone who:
Isolation is for someone who:
People in isolation need to avoid contact with all others, including household members. If possible, people in isolation should stay in a separate room, use a separate bathroom, and have meals prepared for and brought to them.
People who cannot isolate or quarantine safely in their home can stay at the county’s isolation/quarantine facility at no cost to them. We will help arrange for a stay at the facility.
You'll need to quarantine yourself in your home away from non-household members if you come into close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Close contact is defined as being within six feet of a person with COVID-19 for a total of about 15 minutes within a 24-hour period.
The following guidance is for the general population and was updated as of December 28, 2021.
If you are fully vaccinated and have had a booster shot:
If you are not fully vaccinated OR if you are fully vaccinated but haven’t had a booster shot and it has been six months since your last Moderna or Pfizer shot or two months since your Johnson and Johnson shot:
You can also view a summary sheet (PDF) of this information. También está disponible en español.
You'll need to isolate yourself away from others, including household members, if you test positive for COVID-19, regardless of your vaccination status.
The following guidance is for the general population and was updated as of December 28, 2021.
You must isolate for 5 days after receiving a positive COVID-19 test (rapid antigen or PCR).
If you experience symptoms of COVID-19 while you're in isolation, take care of yourself as you would for a cold or flu. If you develop any of these emergency warning signs* for COVID-19, get medical attention immediately:
*This list is not all-inclusive. Talk to your medical provider about any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19:
You can also view a summary sheet (English PDF) of this information. También está disponible en español.
When the number of COVID-19 cases surges, contact tracers can’t always keep up. If you’ve tested positive for COVID-19, you may not get a call from a contact tracer.
If you received a positive PCR test (lab-based test):
If you received a positive rapid, at-home test (antigen test):
In most cases, you do not need a negative test to return to work. The exceptions are:
Some employers may also choose to require a negative test before you go back to work. You can talk with your employer about how to arrange for a test if they require one.
As of Dec. 28, 2021, isolation and quarantine guidelines for the general population and most workplace settings have changed. Those changes DO NOT apply to the following settings:
If you work in any of the settings listed above except healthcare settings, follow the quarantine guidelines below. For healthcare guidelines, see the following sections.
As of Dec. 28, 2021, isolation and quarantine guidelines for the general population and most workplace settings have changed. Those changes DO NOT apply to the following settings:
If you work in any of the settings listed above except healthcare settings, follow the isolation guidelines below. For healthcare guidelines, see the following section.
You do not need a negative test to return to work unless specified by your employer.
As of January 21, 2022, the CDC has updated interim guidance for managing healthcare personnel with COVID-19 infection or exposure. Refer to these guidelines for the most recent updates.
If you start to experience symptoms, you should go home immediately and contact your healthcare provider.
In most cases, you do not need a test to return to work. The exceptions are:
Some employers may also choose to require a test before you go back to work. You can talk with your employer about how to arrange for a test if they require one.
Symptoms of coronavirus may include:
This list is not all-inclusive. The CDC continues to update their list of symptoms as more becomes known about COVID-19.
Many who get COVID-19 do not require medical care or hospitalization, but some people get severely ill with respiratory problems like pneumonia. According to the CDC, people most at risk for severe illness are:
The virus has grown less predictable as new variants evolve. Younger people are being hospitalized at much higher rates than they were with previous strains of the virus. While most people with COVID-19 recover and return to normal health, some patients can have symptoms that can last for weeks or even months after recovery from acute illness. Even people who are not hospitalized and who have mild illness can experience persistent or late symptoms. Learn more about long term symptoms on the CDC’s website.
COVID-19 vaccines protect against the worst disease outcomes from the virus. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and find a vaccine provider near you on our vaccine page.
Yes. COVID-19 can be spread by individuals who are not exhibiting typical symptoms. In some cases, the individual may not have developed symptoms yet, and in other cases, people may carry and spread the virus without ever experiencing symptoms.
Yes, there are a number of treatments and anti-viral medications for COVID-19 patients. They are most effective when administered as early as possible in your infection. Because many of these treatments are relatively new, supplies are still low and they are distributed by the Washington State Department of Health to different facilities.
For more information, talk to your health care provider.
The best way to prevent you or others from being infected with COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. All COVID-19 vaccines currently in use are effective at preventing both infection and spread of the virus.
Added layers of protection will help keep you safe and prevent others from getting sick.