COVID-19 Exposure Guidelines

COVID-19 Positive Diagnosis

If you have a positive COVID test, regardless of vaccination status:


Stay home for at least 5 days and wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others.

If you test positive for COVID-19 and are more likely to get significant illness from infection, treatments are available that can reduce your chances of being hospitalized, dying from the illness, and developing post-COVID conditions. If you are sick with COVID-19, call your doctor to ask about treatment options, even if your symptoms are mild right now. Don’t delay – treatment must be started within days of when you first develop symptoms to be effective. 

Use the following guidelines to determine when to end your isolation and return to CSM:

  • If you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication, and your symptoms are improving, or you never had symptoms, you may end isolation after day 5.
  • If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.
  • If your illness was moderate or severe, or if you have a weakened immune system, you need to isolate through day 10.
  • If your COVID-19 symptoms worsen, restart your isolation at day 0. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have questions about your symptoms or when to end isolation.
  • Upon return to CSM, continue to wear a high-quality mask through day 10.


COVID-19 Exposure

If you were exposed to someone with COVID, take the following action regardless of your vaccination status:  

  • Wear a high-quality mask around others in all areas for 10 days.
  • Testing is recommended 4-6 days after exposure even if you are fully vaccinated regardless of if you're showing symptoms or you're asymptomatic. If your results are positive, follow the guidance listed above.


COVID-19 Suspected

If you are sick and suspect you have COVID-19, but do not have test results, you should stay home and isolate from others.

  • If your results are positive, follow the guidance listed above.
  • If your results are negative, you can end your isolation and return to CSM if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication and are well enough to resume your duties.

Visit the CDC Website for More Information


Last updated 1/5/2024. This page will be updated as information changes.

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