People with COVID-19 can be infectious from 1–2 days before and up to 8–10 days after symptoms begin. The majority of transmission appears to occur during the early periods of infection, particularly in the 1–2 days before symptoms start and within the first few days of symptom onset.
“In the early days of the pandemic, it was recommended to isolate for 10 days after having a positive COVID test. And then a few years ago, the CDC changed its recommendation: you could come out of isolation five days after receiving a positive test and wear a mask for the additional five days.”
Updated Guidance: The updated Respiratory Virus Guidance recommends that people stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after both their symptoms are getting better overall, and they have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
Possible symptoms include: Fever or chills. Cough. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Sore throat. Congestion or runny nose. New loss of taste or smell. Fatigue. Muscle or body aches.
Recommendations for people who test positive Day 0 is symptom onset date or positive test date. Avoid contact with people at higher-risk for severe COVID-19 for 10 days.
“A big study came out in the fall of 2023 which showed that most people are the most contagious on day four of symptoms with COVID and then it wanes from there,” said Dr. Roberts. While people become less contagious over time, they are still contagious with COVID for an average of eight days.
“In the early days of the pandemic, it was recommended to isolate for 10 days after having a positive COVID test. And then a few years ago, the CDC changed its recommendation: you could come out of isolation five days after receiving a positive test and wear a mask for the additional five days.”
Consider staying away from people at high risk of getting very sick until: 10 days have passed since your symptoms started, 10 days have passed since you tested positive (if you never developed symptoms), or. You test negative for COVID-19 with an antigen test (such as an at-home test)
Updated Guidance: The updated Respiratory Virus Guidance recommends that people stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after both their symptoms are getting better overall, and they have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
Employees infected with COVID-19 and have symptoms must be excluded from the workplace as follows: Until 24 hours have passed with no fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications, AND. Their symptoms are mild and improving.