If you tested positive for COVID-19 or are waiting for test results (regardless of vaccination status, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic):

• ISOLATE AT HOME: Stay away from people and pets for at least 5 full days (day 0 is the first day of symptoms, or if no symptoms, day 0 is the date the test was taken), AND wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask or respirator if you must be around others (whether at home or in public) from start of isolation through day 10.
• NOTIFY CLOSE CONTACTS: Tell your close contacts they may have been exposed so they can take steps to care for themselves and their families.
• IF ASYMPTOMATIC, MONITOR FOR SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19: If symptoms develop and you are at high risk of severe illness, consult with a healthcare provider right away. If symptoms develop within 10 days of when you were tested, restart the isolation clock with 0 being the day of symptom onset.
• POSTPONE TRAVEL: Avoid travel for a full 5 days after your first day of symptoms, or if asymptomatic, after the date of the positive test. Avoid public transportation.

Ending Isolation: Most people can end isolation after 5 full days (i.e., on Day 6) if asymptomatic, or if fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and other symptoms are improving. Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months and need not delay the end of isolation. If symptoms persist (fever or if other symptoms have not improved), continue to isolate until fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medication for 24 hours and other symptoms have improved.

Persons with moderate or severe illness and those who have weakened immune systems should isolate for a longer period of time. These persons should consult with their healthcare provider to determine the appropriate duration of isolation.

After Ending Isolation (i.e., Day 6-10)

• MASK: Wear a well-fitted mask or respirator when around others at home and in public through day 10. For those ending isolation on day 5, this would be during days 6 through 10. Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask until you are able to discontinue masking (i.e., on day 11). After the 5-day isolation period (or longer if symptoms persist), one may discontinue wearing a mask sooner than day 11 with two sequential negative antigen tests taken at least 48 hours apart. The first of the two antigen tests should be taken no sooner than day 6. If an antigen test result is positive, one may still be infectious and should continue wearing a mask and wait at least 48 hours before testing again. Continue taking antigen tests at least 48 hours apart until there are two sequential negative results (there may be a need to continue wearing a mask and testing beyond day 10).
• AVOID OTHERS AT HIGH-RISK FOR SEVERE ILLNESS: Regardless of when you end isolation, avoid being around people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease until at least day 11.
• POSTPONE TRAVEL: Postpone travel for a full 10 days if possible. If travel is necessary on days 6-10, wear a well-fitting mask when around others for the entire duration of travel. Persons unable to wear a mask should not travel during the 10 days.

Note: If you work in a healthcare setting or live in a high-risk congregate setting, you may be subject to different safety recommendations and timeframes.

Case Investigation

If you test positive for COVID-19, a New Jersey case investigator may reach out to you with information about how best to protect yourself and your loved ones. If you test positive on an at-home test you should notify your healthcare provider, or local health department if you don't have a healthcare provider, to determine health concerns and address any questions you may have.

COVID-19 is mainly spread from person to person, so you will be asked about where you have been and the people you spent time with recently. The case investigator will help you identify any close contacts and advise you to notify them. A close contact is anyone you spent more than 15 minutes with over a 24-hour period and were within six feet. Your close contacts may notify their worksite, school, or daycare, if applicable. Case investigators will also connect you to medical care if needed.

NOTE: If you test positive using an at-home self-test, it is recommended that you notify your close contacts as these results may not be reported to local health departments. If you have questions or need assistance, reach out to your primary care provider or local health department.

Alerting Friends and Loved Ones

You should tell anyone you were in close contact with about your positive COVID-19 test result so they can protect themselves and their loved ones.

Close contacts should:

• MASK: Immediately wear a well-fitting mask or respirator when around others at home or in indoor public settings as soon as you find out you were exposed to someone with COVID-19. The date of the last exposure is considered day 0 and a mask should be worn for 10 full days. Do not go to places where you are unable to mask until a full 10 days has elapsed since last contact.
• MONITOR FOR SYMPTOMS: Watch for a fever (100.4◦F or greater), cough, shortness of breath, or other COVID-19 symptoms. If symptoms develop, isolate immediately, get tested, and stay home until test results are known. If you are at high risk of severe illness, consult with a healthcare provider right away.
• TAKE PRECAUTIONS AROUND PERSONS AT HIGH-RISK FOR SEVERE ILLNESS: Take extra precautions when around persons who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe illness until at least day 11.
• TAKE PRECAUTIONS WHEN TRAVELING: Persons unable to wear a mask should not travel during the 10 days after exposure to COVID-19.
• TEST: Get tested on day 6, even if symptoms don't develop. If you test positive, isolate immediately. If you test negative, continue to take precautions, including wearing a mask when around others at home and in public through Day 10. Individuals who already had COVID within the past 90 days should follow specific testing recommendations found at CDC's guidance on Choosing a COVID-19 Test.

For individuals isolating at home, but live in large or multigenerational households, the Department of Health recommends taking the following precautions:

• For large households or homes with many people, persons who are sick should remain in a separate bedroom and stay away from anyone who is not sick as much as possible.
• If the sick person cannot be isolated in a separate room, consider having them isolate in an alternate location that has a separate bedroom and bathroom for them to rest and recover.
• If the sick person needs to leave the bedroom to use the bathroom (or kitchen), they should wear a mask.
• The sick individual should not eat meals with others in the household to limit the spread of the virus within the home.
• All persons living in the home should practice good hand hygiene (Wash hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol).
• Cleaning frequently touched surfaces regularly is important especially in the bathroom as well as doorknobs and stair rails

Source: What to do when exposed to COVID-19?