What if the positive case lives in my household?

The quarantine period for a household close contact begins after their last contact with (or exposure) to the COVID-19 positive person. A close contact is someone who has been within 6 feet of a COVID-19 positive person during their infectious period for at least 15 minutes (it can be shorter periods of time that add up to 15 or more minutes over a period of 24 hours). The infectious period of a COVID-19 person begins 2 days before symptoms develop and lasts through their isolation period. If the COVID-19 positive person never had any symptoms their infectious period begins 2 days before their test date.

 There are a couple of different ways this could go depending on who the COVID-19 positive person is within the household and whether they can isolate themselves away from their close contacts within their household:

Scenario #1

If the positive case is an older child or an adult who can isolate themselves in a private room during their isolation period then the close contacts in the household can begin their quarantine after their last contact with (or exposure) to the positive case.

Peter is 16 years old and was diagnosed with COVID-19 and his symptoms began on 10/1. He is able to isolate himself in his room beginning 10/1. Meals are dropped off by his family members at his door and he only leaves his room to use the restroom. He does not interact face to face with any of the people living in his household.  For his household close contacts their quarantine period begins after their last exposure to him. If they last spent time with him on 10/1, then 10/2 is day one of quarantine. Please review the 3 quarantine options here.

Scenario #2

If you are unable to quarantine yourself from the COVID-19 positive person because you need to care for them you will have a longer quarantine period as you will have continuous exposure during the case's isolation period (which is the time they are contagious).

Alice is the mom to five year old Scott. Scott is diagnosed with COVID-19 and his symptoms began October 1st. Scott needs to isolate at home for 10 days. After 10 days as long as he has been fever free for the past 24 hours and symptoms are improving his last day of isolation is 10/11 and he can go back to school on 10/12.  Alice should also be quarantining during Scott's isolation period.  Because Alice cared for Scott during his isolation period (when he is considered contagious), her official quarantine period does not start until 10/12, because 10/11 is the last day that she was exposed to the positive case. 

What if additional household members become COVID-19 positive?

If you are exposed to another person in your household who tests positive for COVID-19, you will need to begin your quarantine period again, after your last exposure to the positive case.

**Please note: if you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 you are not required to quarantine but should monitor yourself for symptoms for 14 days after last exposure to the positive person. If you develop symptoms you should isolate and seek COVID-19 testing.