Clearing Up Confusion about COVID Quarantine and Isolation Guidance

Published on February 02, 2022

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The Unified Government Public Health Department (UGPHD) gets many questions about when people need to quarantine and/or isolate, for what periods of time, etc. Here’s some information to help clear up the confusion.  

Note: this guidance is for the general population. It doesn’t include people who work in a health care setting. Additionally, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment provides guidelines specific to schools, day cares, and long-term care facilities. 

What to do if you were exposed to COVID-19 

Quarantine guidance and precautions for 10 days after exposure (day of exposure is considered “day 0”)

 

If you were exposed to COVID-19 and are NOT up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations

Days 1-5
Days 6-10 
  • STAY HOME for at least 5 days.
  • Get tested at least 5 days after you were last exposed. 

  • If you must be around other people, wear a well-fitted mask. 

  • Do not travel. 

  • Watch for symptoms.*  
  • Wear a well-fitted mask when around others. 
  • Continue to watch for symptoms.*

  • Avoid travel. If you must travel during days 6-10, take precautions.

  • Avoid being around people who are at high risk for COVID-19 infections. 

If you were exposed to COVID-19 and are up to date on vaccinations:

Days 1-5
Days 6-10 

  • You don’t need to stay home unless you develop COVID-19 symptoms.

  • Get tested at least 5 days after you were last exposed. 

  • Wear a well-fitted mask when around others.  

  • If you travel, take precautions.  

  • Watch for symptoms.* 

  • Wear a well-fitted mask when around others.

  • Continue to watch for symptoms.*

  • If you travel, take precautions.

  • Avoid being around people who are at high risk for COVID-19 infections.

If you were exposed to COVID-19 and had confirmed COVID-19 within the past 90 days (PCR or antigen test) :

Days 1-5
Days 6-10 

  • You don’t need to stay home unless you develop COVID-19 symptoms.

  • Wear a well-fitted mask when around others.  

  • If you travel, take precautions.  

  • Watch for symptoms.* 

  • Wear a well-fitted mask when around others.

  • Continue to watch for symptoms.*

  • If you travel, take precautions.

  • Avoid being around people who are at high risk for COVID-19 infections. 
 

 

What to do if you test positive for COVID-19

Isolation guidance and precautions for 10 days (“Day 0” is your first day of symptoms. If you are asymptomatic, “Day 0” is the day of your positive COVID-19 test.) 

If you tested positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms, regardless of your vaccination status:

Days 1-5
Days 6-10 
  • STAY HOME for at least 5 days.
  • Isolate from others in your home.
  • If you must be around other people, wear a well-fitted mask.  

  • Do not travel. 
Ending Isolation:
  • If you had symptoms: You may end isolation after five (5) full days if you are fever-free for 24 hours (without using a fever-reducing medication) and your symptoms are improving. If you don't feel better, or have had a fever in the last 24 hours, please continue to stay home.
  • If you had no symptoms: End isolation after at least five (5) full days after your positive test.
Precautions After Isolation (through at least Day 10):
  • Wear a well-fitted mask when around others.
  • Do not travel.
  • Avoid being around people who are at high-risk for COVID-19 infections.

 

 

 

Tables adapted from the quarantine and isolation guidance from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html  

 

More Information

For more information about COVID quarantining and isolation, testing or vaccinations visit wycokck.org/COVID-19 (click on “COVID-19 Test Info” or “COVID Vaccines”) or call 3-1-1.  

Community Calendar

Swope Health and the KC Monarchs are hosting a COVID-19 testing event at the KC Monarchs stadium on Saturday, February 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event offers free nasal swab (PCR) testing. The event is done in partnership with the Wyandotte County Health Equity Task Force. 
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