What to do if you are sick or exposed

If you are at high risk for being hospitalized for COVID-19, get tested soon and treated early. Anti-viral pills or other treatment options may lower the chances of your illness getting worse if you take them within 5 days of symptoms. Treatment is free, regardless of insurance or immigration status.

Here are three ways to get treatment:

1. Speak to your healthcare provider first. They can give you a prescription that you can get filled at participating pharmacies or anywhere anti-viral pills are available.
2. Schedule a telehealth visit. If you do not have a health care provider or if a provider can’t see you within 48 hours, contact Washington State Department of Health at 1–800–525–0127, then press # or go to doh.wa.gov/Covid19Telehealth to schedule a free telehealth appointment, available in 240 languages. Patients without the ability to have a video visit can have a phone visit. If you have already been tested, you may bring your test result from an at-home (antigen) test or a testing site to your telehealth visit. The test should be taken in the treatment window within 5 days of the onset of symptoms.
3. Visit a Test to Treat clinic to receive testing and treatment in one visit. To find a clinic, enter your zip code into the Test to Treat locator or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 888-720-7489) to get help in English, Spanish and more than 150 other languages.  Locally you can call Birdseye Medical  at 1-360-688-7044 and you will be linked to a provider via a telehealth visit who will determine if treatment is appropriate for you and if so they will call the treatment into a local pharmacy of your choice.

People who test positive for COVID-19 and are at higher risk of becoming very sick may benefit from available COVID-19 therapeutics (medications). These treatments can help prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. Talk to your healthcare provider right away if you test positive and are at higher risk, as treatments need to be started early to work best. Your healthcare provider will help determine if COVID-19 medications are appropriate for you.

• Our COVID-19 Therapies Quick Guide (PDF) provides an overview of treatments | Available in additional languages  

COVID-19 treatments/medications are not a substitute for prevention. It is still recommended that everyone who is eligible get vaccinated, remain up to date, and take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

What to do if you test positive for COVID-19

If you test positive for COVID-19, you can help stop the spread of COVID-19 to others. Please follow the guidance below regarding treatment, isolation, and mask wearing. Please also follow any local health jurisdiction, workplace, business, or school policies for people who test positive for COVID-19, which may be more restrictive than WA State Department of Health guidance.
• People who are staying, working, or visiting in a health care facility should follow the guidance in COVID-19 Infection Prevention in Healthcare Settings.
• If you work or are staying in a crowded work site, temporary worker housing, commercial maritime setting, corrections or detention facility, homeless shelter, or transitional housing, please follow the guidance under If you are staying or working in any of these congregate settings.

Determine whether you need treatment
If you test positive and are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 because of your age or chronic medication conditions, treatments are available that can reduce your chances of being hospitalized or dying from the disease. Medications to treat COVID-19 must be prescribed by a healthcare provider and started as soon as possible after diagnosis to be effective. Contact a healthcare provider right away to determine if you are eligible for treatment, even if your symptoms are mild right now. Visit the DOH webpage for more information for you and your health care provider on specific COVID-19 therapeutics and how to access treatment.

Isolate at home

People who test positive for COVID-19 or those who have symptoms of COVID-19 and are awaiting test results should isolate at home away from others except to get medical care.

If you test positive for COVID-19, stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home in order to avoid spreading COVID-19 to others.

If you tested positive for COVID-19 and had symptoms:
Isolate for at least 5 days after your symptoms first appeared. You can leave isolation after 5 full days if:
• Your symptoms are improving 5 days after the start of your isolation, AND
• You have not had a fever for 24 hours without use of fever reducing-medication

If you tested positive for COVID-19 but have not had any symptoms: Isolate for at least 5 days after you tested positive for COVID-19. You can leave isolation after 5 full days if you have not developed any symptoms. If you develop symptoms after testing positive, your 5-day isolation should start over. Follow the recommendations above for ending isolation if you had symptoms.

Regardless of when you end isolation, take the following steps for the 10 days after you developed symptoms (or tested positive, if you never developed symptoms):

• Wear a well-fitting and high-quality mask or respirator around others at home and in public for at least 5 additional days (day 6 through day 10) after the end of your 5-day isolation period.
• Avoid people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease, and do not go to healthcare facilities (including nursing homes) and other high-risk settings.
• Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask, such as restaurants and some gyms, and avoid eating around others at home and at work.
• If symptoms return or worsen, you should restart your isolation period at day 0.
  See Travel | CDC for information on travel

CDC When to Quarantine

BFHD How to Isolate at Home /Spanish

BFHD Make a Bleach Solution

DOH What is the Meaning of Staying Home?

CDC When is it Safe to End Your Isolation

CDC Caring for Someone at Home

CDC Guidance for Parents or Caregivers Who are Sick

If you were exposed to COVID-19 and develop symptoms (even mild ones), you should stay home and away from others and get tested for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), regardless of vaccination status. Contact your health care provider for a test. Tell them you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 and are now sick.

What to do if you were potentially exposed to someone with COVID-19 (PDF) (wa.gov)

Symptom Decision Tree for Non-Health Care Settings and the Public (PDF) (wa.gov)

If your symptoms get worse or you develop new symptoms, consult with a healthcare provider. If somebody does not have a health care provider: Many locations have free or low-cost testing, regardless of immigration status. See the Department of Health’s Testing FAQ or call the WA State COVID-19 Information Hotline.

If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, tell the dispatch staff that you have COVID-19 symptoms. If possible, put on a face covering before emergency services arrive.

Quarantine is no longer a standard recommendation after being exposed to COVID-19. If you have been exposed to COVID-19, you should take the following steps:

• Get tested 3-5 days after your last contact with the person with COVID-19
  • If you test positive, follow the guidance in What to do if you test positive for COVID-19.
  • If you test negative by an antigen test, consider retesting with an antigen test 24-48 hours after the first negative test. If the second test is negative, but concerns exist for COVID-19, consider retesting 24-48 hours after the second negative test, for a total of at least 3 tests. If you get a negative result on the third test and are concerned you could have COVID-19, you may choose to test again using an antigen test, consider getting a laboratory molecular-based test, or call your health care provider. If you do not have adequate 2 resources to test 3 times with an antigen test, it is acceptable to test less in accordance with your resources and the level of risk to you and those around you.
  • If you have been exposed to COVID-19 and have no symptoms but had COVID-19 in the past 30 days, testing is not recommended. If you had COVID-19 within the past 30-90 days, use an antigen test (not a PCR test), as PCR results may remain persistently positive even if there is not a new, active infection.
• Wear a high-quality mask or respirator around others at home and in public for 10 days after your last contact with the person with COVID-19
• Watch for symptoms of COVID-19

Certain high-risk settings or groups may need to use a 10-day isolation and have additional considerations after being exposed to COVID-19. Please refer to DOH’s guidance What to do if you were potentially exposed to someone with COVID-19 and What to do if you test positive for COVID-19 for recommendations pertaining to these groups.

• Correctional or detention facility
• Homeless shelter or transitional housing
• Commercial maritime setting (e.g., commercial seafood vessels, cargo ships, cruise ships)
• Crowded work setting where physical distancing is not possible due to the nature of the work, such as in warehouses, factories, and food packaging and meat processing facilities
• Temporary worker housing

Other settings or groups with different isolation and quarantine recommendations

People who are staying or working in a health care facility should follow the guidance in COVID-19 Infection Prevention in Health Care Settings.

If you tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days and recovered before coming into close contact with a person with COVID-19, you do not need to quarantine, but you should get tested for COVID-19 with an antigen test 5-7 days after your last contact with the person who has COVID-19.

If you have been exposed to COVID-19, or think you have been exposed, you can help prevent the spread of the virus to others in your home and community. Please follow the guidance below. Please note the additional guidance for specific settings here:
• People who are staying, working, or visiting in a health care facility should follow the guidance in Interim Recommendations for SARS-CoV- 2 Infection Prevention and Control in Healthcare Settings.
• If you work or are staying in a crowded work site, temporary worker housing, commercial maritime setting, corrections or detention facility, homeless shelter, or transitional housing, please follow the guidance under Information for people staying or working in certain congregate settings.

You should monitor for symptoms for 10 days after your last contact and wear a mask in public indoor spaces. If symptoms develop, consult with a healthcare provider.

• Wear a high-quality mask or respirator around others at home and in public. Continue to wear a mask even if you test negative for COVID-19 for 10 days.

o Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask.
o If someone is unable to wear a mask due to being less than 2 years of age or having a disability that prevents them from wearing a mask, other preventive actions (such as improving ventilation) should be used to avoid transmission during these 10 days.

• Avoid being around people at high risk of severe disease, and do not go to high risk settings (e.g., healthcare facilities).
• Watch for symptoms of COVID-19.
• If symptoms develop, get tested and follow the steps under I had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 and now I’m sick. What should I do?
• See Travel | CDC for information on travel.
• See Interim SARS-CoV-2 Self-Testing Guidance (wa.gov) for guidance if you are using a self-test.

Contact tracing is a way to identify people who may have been exposed to COVID-19. Contact tracing helps track and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

We tell close contacts they might have been exposed to a person with COVID-19. We give them education, information, and support to understand their risk and prevent the spread of COVID-19 to others.

Here are resources explaining what to expect:

• DOH- I tested positive Contact tracing: What Will They Ask Me? English
• DOH- I tested positive Contact tracing: What Will They Ask Me? Spanish
• DOH- I tested positive Contact tracing: What Will They Ask Me? Other languages
• DOH- I was in contact with someone who tested positive  Contact Tracing: What Will They Ask Me?  English
• DOH- I was in contact with someone who tested positive  Contact Tracing: What Will They Ask Me? Spanish
• DOH- I was in contact with someone who tested positive Contact Tracing: What Will They Ask Me?  Additional languages

Ending Isolation

How long you should isolate depends on several factors:

• Whether you can wear a well-fitting mask,
• Whether you continue to test positive for COVID-19 during days 6-10 after 5 days of isolation,
• Whether you are severely ill with COVID-19 or have a weakened immune system, and
• Whether you are staying or working in a congregate setting.

If you tested positive for COVID-19 and had symptoms:
Isolate for at least 5 days after your symptoms first appeared. You can leave isolation after 5 full days if:

• Your symptoms are improving 5 days after the start of your isolation, AND
• You have not had a fever for 24 hours without use of fever reducing-medication

If you tested positive for COVID-19 but have not had any symptoms: Isolate for at least 5 days after you tested positive for COVID-19. You can leave isolation after 5 full days if you have not developed any symptoms.

If you develop symptoms after testing positive, your 5-day isolation should start over. Follow the recommendations above for ending isolation if you had symptoms.

Regardless of when you end isolation, take the following steps for the 10 days after you developed symptoms (or tested positive, if you never developed symptoms):

• Wear a well-fitting and high-quality mask or respirator around others at home and in public for at least 5 additional days (day 6 through day 10) after the end of your 5-day isolation period.
• Avoid people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease, and do not go to healthcare facilities (including nursing homes) and other high-risk settings.
• Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask, such as restaurants and some gyms, and avoid eating around others at home and at work.
• If symptoms recur or worsen, you should restart your isolation period at day 0.
• See Travel | CDC for information on travel.

How to calculate your isolation period:
If you have symptoms, day 0 is your first day of symptoms. Day 1 is the first full day after your symptoms developed.
If you have not had any symptoms, day 0 is the date you were tested. Day 1 is the first full day after the specimen was collected for your positive test.

Using antigen testing to determine when to leave isolation and remove your mask
If you have access to an antigen test, you can further decrease your risk of infecting others by taking a test when you plan to leave isolation, no sooner than day 6. Only start testing if you are fever free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved. Loss of taste or smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and should not delay the end of isolation.

• If your test is positive, you are likely still contagious. You should continue to isolate and wear a mask and wait 24-48 hours to test again.
• If you test negative on two sequential tests each performed 24-48 hours apart, you can end isolation and stop wearing a mask before day 10.

If you continue to test positive on repeat testing through 10 days, you should continue to wear a mask and avoid people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease until you receive two sequential negative antigen test results.

See the DOH Isolation and Quarantine Calculator tool for assistance.

What to do if you test positive for COVID-19 (PDF) (wa.gov)

What to do if you were potentially exposed to someone with COVID-19 (PDF) (wa.gov)

Symptom Decision Tree for Non-Health Care Settings and the Public (PDF) (wa.gov)

• CDC Precautions for People at Increased Risk
• CDC Resources for Older Adults
• CDC Resources for People with Certain Medical Conditions
• DOH COVID-19 Therapeutics

Reduce your risk of getting COVID-19

It is especially important for people at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and those who live with them, to protect themselves from getting COVID-19.

The best way to protect yourself and to help reduce the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 is to:

• Be vaccinated, and up to date with boosters
• Limit your interactions with other people as much as possible.
• Take precautions to prevent getting COVID-19 when you do interact with others.
• Talk to your medical provider about Monoclonal Antibody Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis

If you start feeling sick and think you may have COVID-19, get in touch with your healthcare provider within 24 hours.

Stay healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic

Staying healthy during the pandemic is important. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether your vaccinations and other preventive services are up to date to help prevent you from becoming ill with other diseases.

• It is particularly important for those at increased risk of severe illness, including older adults, to receive recommended vaccinations against influenza and pneumococcal disease.
• Talk with your healthcare provider about maintaining preventive services like cancer screenings during the pandemic.
• Remember the importance of staying physically active and practicing healthy habits to cope with stress.
• If you have a medical emergency, do not delay seeking emergency care.

 If you have an underlying medical condition, you should continue to follow your treatment plan:

• Continue your medicines and do not change your treatment plan without talking to your healthcare provider.
• Have at least a 30-day supply of prescription and non-prescription medicines. Talk to a healthcare provider, insurer, and pharmacist about getting an extra supply (i.e., more than 30 days) of prescription medicines, if possible, to reduce your trips to the pharmacy.
• Do not delay getting emergency care for your underlying medical condition because of COVID-19. Emergency departments have contingency infection prevention plans to protect you from getting COVID-19 if you need care.
• Call your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about your underlying medical conditions or if you get sick and think that you may have COVID-19. If you need emergency help, call 911 right away.
• If you don’t have a healthcare provider, contact your nearest community health center or health department.

What Should I Do if My Child Has Symptoms?

Call your doctor if your child has a fever, cough, trouble breathing, sore throat, belly pain, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, dizziness, or just doesn’t feel well. If your child has been near someone with coronavirus or been in an area where lots of people have coronavirus, tell the doctor. Talk about whether your child needs a test for coronavirus. The doctor can decide whether your child:

• can be treated at home
• should come in for a visit
• can have a video or telehealth visit

In a telehealth visit, a health care provider can see your child on video while you stay at home. If you can, choose a telehealth provider who specializes in caring for kids. If the doctor thinks your child needs care right away, they will guide you on where to go. When possible, check for telehealth in your area before anyone in your family is sick.

Watch for signs that your child might need more medical help. Go to the ER if your child:

• looks very sick to you
• has breathing problems. Look for muscles pulling in between the ribs or the nostrils puffing out with each breath.
• is confused or very sleepy
• has chest pain
• has cold, sweaty, pale or blotchy skin
• is dizzy
• has very bad belly pain

Call 911 if your child is struggling to breathe, is too out of breath to talk or walk, or turns blue or has fainted.

How Can I Keep My Family Safe if My Child Has Symptoms?

• Keep your family home until you talk to your doctor. If the doctor thinks your child’s symptoms could be COVID-19, everyone in the household should stay home until testing is done or symptoms are gone. Check the CDC’s website for details.
• Keep other people and pets in the house away from your child as much as possible.
• Try to have one person only care for the sick child so others are not exposed.
• If your child is over 2 years old and can wear a face mask or cloth face covering without finding it hard to breathe, have them wear one when the caregiver is in the room. Don’t leave your child alone while they’re wearing a mask or cloth face covering. The caregiver also should wear one when in the same room. To see how to put on and remove face masks and coverings, clean them, or make your own cloth face covering, check the CDC’s guide.
• If possible, have your sick child use a different bathroom from others. If that isn’t possible, wipe down the bathroom often.
• Everyone in your family should wash their hands well and often. Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Use regular household cleaners or wipes to clean things that get touched a lot (doorknobs, light switches, toys, remote controls, phones, etc.). Do this every day.

• DOH Pregnancy, Birth, and Caring for your Newborn
• DOH Pregnancy, Birth, and Caring for your Newborn
• CDC Stop the Spread of COVID-19 in Children
• CDC Talking to Children about COVID-19